Garey W. Coonen, of Bowling Green, OH, passed away December 16, 2013, at Wood County
Hospital.Garey was born October 20, 1938, in Omaha, NE to Howard and Ebba (Kallander) Coonen.He attended
Benson High School where he excelled in track and field. His family moved to Elmhurst (Queens), New York,
where he graduated from Newtown High School in 1956. He graduated from DePauw University, Greencastle, IN,
in 1960, a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity, SDX journalism society, D-men sportsman, and ROTC.On December
27, 1960 he married his college sweetheart Gayle (Hibberd) Coonen in Centerville, OH. They moved to
Arlington Heights., Illinois, and he worked in Chicago as a reporter for City News, later with columnist
Jack Mabley at the Chicago’s American.He joined the O’Hare U.S. Army Reserves psychological warfare
division, serving 1961-1966 at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and Fort Riley, KS. He later worked with IBM, GE
& Honeywell in the computer industry, and lived more than 30 years in Crystal Lake, Illinois.Garey
is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Gayle, children: Douglas Howard Coonen of Harvard, Illinois;
John (Linda) M. Coonen of Crystal Lake, Illinois; Garey Thomas (Chell) Coonen of Schaumburg, Illinois.
Grandchildren: Andrew (Julie) Coonen of Westby, Wisconsin, Douglas Robert Coonen of Harvard, Illinois and
Alyssa (Josh) Miller of Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Sister: Mary Ellen Hogarth of Denton, Texas.
Sister-in-law: Suzanne Coonen of Charlotte, NC.Garey and Gayle moved from Illinois to be near her loving
aunt, Ruth Jean Van Wormer, who affectionately called Garey her nephew.His parents, brothers Richard and
Howard, sister-in-law Mary Coonen, preceded him in death.Memorial contributions may be directed to the
Salvation Army or a charity of choice.Arrangements are being made with DUNN FUNERAL HOME, located in Bowling
Green’s Historical District at 408 West Wooster Street.A memorial service will be announced at a later
date.To share an online condolence with the family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.To
send flowers click here!
