Gary Dale Polston

To join the livestream of Gary's Celebration of Life, please select the link below. The livestream will begin at 1:55 P.M. Sunday, February 23, 2025. The service broadcast will be archived for 90 days from the date of the service for later viewing. https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTczOTczNjMxODM1MDIwMyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== Gary Dale Polston, age 76 years, a resident of rural Grantsburg, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at Spanish Plaines Hospital in The Villages, Florida. Gary was born December 13, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan. He was the third of five children born to Meredith and Genevia (Hard) Polston. On October 28, 1978, Gary was united in marriage to Rita June Wiggs in Johnson County Illinois. They were blessed with 28 years of matrimony. In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Rita Polston; daughter, Chelsea Polston; son, Joe Bodeck; and brother, Keith Polston. He is survived by: 2 sisters – Jane Vinson and Alice Lewis; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Daniel and Rachel Bodeck of the Villages, Florida & James and Alicia Bodeck of Sebring, Florida. He had 3 grandchildren – Kyle (Haley) Bodeck, Autumn Darracq and Ridge Darracq; 3 great grandchildren – Allie, Thatcher, and Palmer Bodeck; and several nieces and nephews. Gary attended Vienna High School and studied at Southeastern Illinois College and Shawnee Community College. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Gary enlisted in October 1970 and was honorably discharged in October 1973. During his enlistment, Gary was stationed in Maryland and Alaska. Gary retired from the Illinois Department of Transportation with 36 years of service. He started in a survey team and later oversaw several road projects in southern Illinois. In retirement, he often proudly would point out bridges and projects he helped construct. Those who knew Gary knew that he was an avid sports fan. He was an S.I.U. Saluki Basketball season pass holder for 50 years. He loved attending the games with his friends or watching them on television and rarely missed a game. He cheered on the Salukis in multiple sports and also loved his Detroit Lions. He was also a huge fan of the Kentucky Derby and attended the event for 35 years in a row. Watching football with his sons and spending time with his family and friends was a highlight of his life and meant the world to him. He is dearly loved and will be greatly missed by his family, friends and community. A Celebration of the Life of Gary Polston will be conducted Sunday afternoon, February 23, 2025, at 2 P.M. at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Rodney Gholson will officiate. The family will receive relatives and friends from 1 P.M. until the service hour at 2 P.M. Memorials may be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 199 Water Street, 11th Floor, New York, New York 10038 or online by visiting www.afsp.org Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.

Gary Dale Polston

December 13, 1948 - February 5, 2025