Gary L Rybolt

Born September 28, 1955 in Pekin to Donald and Shirley (Boster) Rybolt, he married Beth Lynn (Kakach) Engst on June 22, 1992 in Pekin, IL.

Surviving are two daughters, Amanda (Jason) Kiefer of Brownsdale, MN and Nicole (Jeremiah) Hoffman of Becker, MN; one son, Japhet Rybolt of Elk River, MN; four grandchildren, Taylar Kiefer, Kiera Kiefer, Devon Hoffman, and Lariana Hoffman; his mother, Shirley Rybolt of North Pekin, IL; one brother, Danny (Kathy) Rybolt of North Pekin, IL; three sisters, Pamela (Walt) Saal of Peoria, IL, Dianne (Jim) Smith of Metamora, IL, and Marcie Hickman of Pekin, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

His father preceded him in death on February 6, 2003.

Gary has worked at W.W. Grainger in Plymouth, Minnesota for 11 years as a DC Hazmat Team Leader. Previously, he worked 14 years at Glenrose Floral and Gifts based in Hopkins, MN.

Gary was raised on bluegrass music, enjoyed playing the guitar, listening to music, watching Westerns, talking sports and was always there to help others with projects or to give advice.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 3, 2014 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, IL, where visitation will be one hour before the funeral. The Rev. Dr. Bobby Barnhill will officiate. Burial will be at Zion Evangelical United Methodist Church Cemetery in rural Pekin, IL.

A celebration of life gathering will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites at Arbor Lakes, 11801 Fountains Way North in Maple Grove, MN.

Gary’s one wish was that Japhet has a college education as he did.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Japhet Rybolt College Fund in c/o Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com