Gary Lee Christley
Gary Lee Christley, 70, of Slippery Rock Township passed away Thursday at Butler Memorial Hospital.
He was born Tuesday, Nov. 19, 1946, in Butler County to Earl Deloy Christley and Ida Mae Peters Christley.
Gary attended the Bunker Hill one-room schoolhouse, where Lake Arthur is now. When he was 7, he was responsible for firing the potbelly stove on winter mornings to warm the school before the students and teacher arrived. He graduated from Slippery Rock Area High School in 1964 as part of the first graduating class from the new high school.
Gary started working on Walt Lindey's produce farm in Brady Township, when he was 8 years old. He and Walt became lifelong friends. In high school, Gary worked at Prior's Gas Station in Portersville. He retired in 2007 from Instron Industrial Products in Grove City. At Instron he held several jobs, including as a machinist, salesman, foreman and instructor.
Gary was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church.
Gary was drafted into the U.S. Army in May of 1966 during the Vietnam War. He trained as a medic at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. He served at the 45th Field Hospital SETAF in Vincenza, Italy, where he attended soldiers wounded in Vietnam. He obtained the rank of specialist E-4 and separated from the military in April of 1968.
Gary married Sandra Kay Allison on July 19, 1966. The most important thing in life to Gary was his family. He looked forward to and found such joy during his family's semiannual camping trips and trips to the beach. Every moment spent with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was precious to him.
In addition to his wife, other survivors include his daughter, Tammy S. (Duane) Bollinger of Slippery Rock; his son, Tim J. Christley of Slippery Rock; his brothers, Robert (Carol) Christley of Prospect, Jon Christley of Butler and Ralph Christley of Slippery Rock; his sister, Judy (George) Stevenson of Prospect; four grandchildren, Alyssa N. (Jacob) Hickson of Washington, D.C., Dylan D. Bollinger, David J. Christley and Travis L. Christley, all of Slippery Rock; and two great-grandchildren, Levi A. Hickson and Kayden S.L. Christley.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Don; and his sister, Nancy.
CHRISTLEY — A private graveside service with full military honors for Gary Lee Christley, who died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017, will be conducted on Tuesday at the Slippery Rock Cemetery with Rev. Keith McIlwain, pastor of Slippery Rock United Methodist Church, presiding.Memorial contributions may be given to the Harrisville American Legion Post 852, 227 W. Prairie St., Harrisville, PA 16038.Arrangements have been entrusted to the Smith Funeral Home in Slippery Rock.
