Gail Louise Wanner

Gail Louise Wanner passed away at her home on Sunday, July 12, 2020, at the age of 84. She was born August 4, 1935 in Manteno, the daughter Albert & Delia Simpson. She married Alvin Wanner Jr. on June 22, 1953. He preceded her in death in March of 1991. They had three children, Cheryl, Lawrence, and Regina. Louise worked for many years for Dr. Raymond Malott and then for 57 consecutive years for the accounting firms of Mike Joyce, Dale Kiedaisch and Jodi K. Gill. Louise could be found volunteering for many organizations in Manteno. Her claim to fame was being the founder of the Cystic Fibrosis Bike-A-thon, which raised funds for research. Each year hundreds of children looked forward to riding bicycles of all sizes as many miles as they could. Later, when these children became young adults, she was the co-founder of the Cystic Fibrosis Golf Outing, which also raised funds for research, in memory of her daughter, Regina. She received the Manteno Historical Society Citizen of the Year Award in 2015. She was chosen as Manteno Chamber Executive of the Year and received the Manteno Rotary Club Service Above Self Award. She also served as a Trustee for the Manteno United Methodist Church, a Trustee for the Elmwood Cemetery, and the Manteno Fire Dept. She volunteered for the Manteno Oktoberfest each and every year as well as the Manteno Ride 4 Life event to raise money for cancer research. Surviving are her daughter, Cheryl (Gary) Hammond of Manteno; two nieces, Donna (Anthony) Burtyk Scotto and Kimberly Ahlborn Mailoux; nephews, Michael Burtyk and Scott Ahlborn; as well as several great nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Alvin Wanner Jr., she was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Lawrence; a daughter, Regina; two infant brothers, Franklin and Laben Eugene Simpson, her brother, Albert Lee Simpson; her sister and brother-in law, Eileen & Michael Burtyk; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carol Wanner Lindell and Gene Lindell. The family would like to extend a heartfelt Thank You to the gals from Loving Care Senior Care Givers as well as Hospice of Kankakee Valley for the care Louise received the past couple of months. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the 3:00 p.m. prayer service on Saturday July 18,2020 at Clancy Gernon Funeral Home in Manteno. Visitation and services are open to the public as long as you wear a mask and practice social distancing guidelines. Private burial will be held at Elmwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Research or the family wishes.

Gail Louise Wanner

August 4, 1935 - July 12, 2020