Gary Frierdich

Gary D. Frierdich, 82, formerly of Lebanon, IL, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at Trenton Village, surrounded by his family.

Gary was born on October 6, 1938 to Elmer and Edna (nee Burk) Frierdich, in E. St. Louis, IL.  His family later moved to Lebanon, where he lived most of his life.

In high school he worked part time at a gas station, in town, and drove a local attorney to and from work.  A member of Lebanon High School Class of 1956, Gary celebrated his graduation by taking off in a Studebaker with classmate Bob Evans and driving Route 66 all the way to the West Coast.

Gary married Charlotte Elam on October 8, 1960, and raised three children, Kim, Greg, and Andy.  The only non-degreed engineer hired by Granite City Steel, Gary started out as a draftsman and retired as a project engineer in 2000, after working 36 years for the Steel Mill.

Gary was a family man who enjoyed having backyard barbeques; making his infamous baked beans and enjoying an ice-cold beer.  He had fun filming his kids as they grew up and loved watching the reel to reels he collected over the years.  A coach for his kids’ T-ball and baseball teams; he loved to attend all his kids and grandkids activities.  As a car enthusiast and handyman, he liked to work on cars and could fix nearly everything.  Gary liked to ride his motorcycle, loved a good game of golf, and had a love for eating ice-cream.  A member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lebanon, his Church was an important part of his life.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Edna Frierdich; brother Tom Frierdich.

He is survived by his children, Kim (Robert) Rutherford, Gregory (Terri) Frierdich, and Andrew (Cindy) Frierdich; grandchildren, Kelly (Jesse) Essenpreis, Bradley Rutherford, Hannah Frierdich, Cole Frierdich, Lauren Frierdich, Drew Frierdich; great grandchildren, Ashlyn, Rhya and Kyler Essenpreis; siblings, Jim (Connie) Frierdich, Linda (Alex) Golly, and Jane (Jack) Cotts; several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or Trenton Village Memory Care.

Visitation: Friday, May 28, 2021, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lebanon, IL.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, May 28, 2021, 11:00 am, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lebanon, IL.

**Please Note: Masks and social distancing are required inside the Church.

Clergy: Monsignor James Margason

Interment: St. Joseph Cemetery, Lebanon, IL.

Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL