Reverend Gary A. Wachtel

Reverend Gary A Wachtel, age 78 of Olney, Illinois, passed away on March 5, 2026. Gary was born on July 1, 1947, in Olney, Illinois, the son of Cecil and Marie (Stacy) Wachtel. Gary met his wife Beth (Osborne), and they were married on February 14, 1998, at St. Albans Episcopal Church in Olney, Illinois

Funeral Service for Gary will be on Wednesday March 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the First Church of Olney, 1401 N. Silver Street, Olney, Illinois with a Visitation from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the church. Military Rites will be performed at the church prior to the start of the service. Burial will be held on Thursday, March 12, 11:00 AM at the Oak Hill Cemetery 1400 E. Virginia Street, Evansville, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Church of Olney. Meyer Funeral Home in Olney is assisting the family with arrangements. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.

Gary retired from the United States Army as a Master Sergeant. Gary had received his Doctor of Divinity from the Saint Luke’s Evangelical School of Biblical Studies in the Episcopal Church. He was a life member of the Olney VFW Auxiliary and has served as the chaplain for the American Legion for the last 25 years. Gary had worked at GTE as an engineer while serving in the Army National Guard and the Army Reserves. Gary retired from GTE and was in the military for a total of 38 years. Gary pastored the First Church of Olney for the last 8 of years. Gary loved God and his country, and was a loving husband, father, and grandpa. He will be missed by his family and many friends he had in the community.

Gary is survived by:
wife: Beth Wachtel of Olney, Illinois
sons: Michael (Kelli Farmer) Roy of Olney, Illinois 
Eric (Patty) Wachtel of Viera, Florida
Heath (Heather) Roy of Evansville, Indiana
daughters: Christine Speith of Olney, Illinois
Heather (Jackie) Lowrey of New Harmony, Indiana
grandchildren: Logan Speith, Jax Lowery, Ruben Wachtel, Jason Wachtel, Bayne (Hailee Stangle) Roy
Braxton Roy and Emily Lowrey and fiancé Eddie Goebel
and his little scotty dog companion Cooper

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter Kathy and sister Trena Knackmus