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Obituary for Patsey E. Gemar

Obituary for Patsey E. Gemar
  • PublishedNovember 9, 2021


Graveside service for Patsey E. Gemar, 86, of Highland, IL, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Conner Cemetery. Visistation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 20, 2021  at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home. Mrs Gemar died Sunday, October 31, 2021 at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL.

Patsey E. Gemar was born January 14, 1935 to Monard and Fannie Pearl (nee Black) Leewright, in Dike, TX, an unincorporated town in Hopkins County. In 1945 Patsey moved with her family from northeast Texas to California. She grew up in Lindsay, CA. After her marriage to first husband, Clarence DePew, she lived in several California cities, Vallejo, San Diego, Oxnard, Inglewood, Los Angeles, Davis, Palo Alto, Placerville, Lake Tahoe and Sacramento.  

Patsey worked as a Loan Officer for the Bank of America during her time in California and retired after 20 years. In 1994 Patsey and her 3rd husband, Wayne Gemar relocated to Springdale, AR, where they lived until 2014, at which time they relocated to Highland, IL. She and Wayne spent two years covering all the states west of the Mississippi River and some of Canada in their RV; including Wisconsin, Illinois, British Columbia and Alberta Canada to name a few.  Patsey was also a member of the Collinsville Church of Christ. Her favorite past time was doing genealogy research.

She is survived by her son, Eric (Eleanor) DePew, Highland, IL; step-children, Roxanna Gemar-Ray and Ravonda McGauley; grandchildren, Julia Vanderburg-Abercrombie, Devan, Kelly, and Derek Carew, Ronny Ray, Leah DePew-Nanney and Ashley DePew; great grandchildren, Taylor, Kameron, Derek & Raelyn Carew, Jacob Vanderburg, Jenna Abercrombie, Ariana, Briella, Charli Jane & Luke Nanney; sister, Roz (Ben) Fike.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Monard and Fannie Pearl Leewright; 3rd husband, Wayne Gemar; daughter, Susan DePew-Garza; sister, Vonda Austin.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.

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Written By
Taylor Nye

Taylor Nye is the editor of Front Porch News. She has degrees from the University of Wisconsin in human biology, Latin American studies, and public health. She has previously worked at the Wisconsin State Journal, Tucson Weekly and Sulphur Springs News-Telegram. As a sixth generation Hopkins County resident, she loves celebrating our heritage and history.