Gayle Ann Wren

Gayle Wren passed away on Sunday July 18, 2021 after her battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Cleveland Ohio on August 10, 1948 to parents Robert and Barbara Smallwood. The Smallwood family moved to Sarasota Florida in 1957 where Gayle lived on Siesta Key until she moved to Tallahassee Florida to earn her bachelor’s degree in education. She then entered the United States Air Force where she met future husband Billy Wren, who later became a pilot with the Air Force, subsequently flying with ATA Airlines. They spent the years after their marriage living in Langley, Virginia, Selma, Alabama, Altus, Oklahoma, San Bernardino, California, Rhein Main Air Base, Frankfurt, Germany and finally Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Gayle’s Erma Bombeck style sense of humor was enjoyed by friends and family throughout her life. Along with her family and dogs, one of Gayle’s many joys in life was singing in the choir and playing bells at St Paul UCC in Belleville, Illinois.

Gayle was predeceased by her first child Billy Wayne Wren Jr, who passed at birth. Gayle is survived by her husband Billy Wren, daughter Kelly Wren, son Brett Wren, brother Rob Smallwood, sister in-law Cynthia Brigman and family, and several beloved cousins. Gayle’s husband and children worked together to keep her at home for the entire course of her disease, keeping life as normal as possible for Gayle.

A visitation will be held Thursday, July 22 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Lakeview Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 23rd at 11:00 AM at St. Paul UCC, Belleville, Illinois.

Burial will be in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri. The date and time is currently to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Heartland Hospice or St. John’s Community Care in Collinsville, Illinois.