Gary Robert Denell, age 65, formerly of Aurora, IL was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven on the morning of September 15, 2021.

Gary was born on August 1, 1956 to the late Robert “Bob” Lester Denell and Ruth Jean Self Denell. He was born and raised in Aurora, IL and lived there his entire life until September of 2020 when he was finally able to retire from his life of a Letter Carrier at the USPS in Aurora, IL. He made his move to Lincolnton, NC to settle down and have all of his grandchildren near him.

He attended East Aurora High School and after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as one of the soldiers providing beans, bullets, and band aids to the troops. While deployed overseas in the Philippines, he met the love of his life Aida and they just celebrated their 43rd anniversary together. They share two daughters, Grace and Denise, who both managed to keep Gary on his toes his entire life.

While he was working as a Letter Carrier, he went back to college and earned his HVAC certification which he then grew into a business with his best friend Dave Kaufman. This business turned into his ministry where he would help whomever he could, especially those who did not have the means to afford these services themselves. Gary loved to give and serve, he would earn money just to give it away to someone who needed it, he made friends with strangers just to find out what he could do to help. He would go into Chicago and play basketball in the inner city just so he could share his faith and help where he could, he would volunteer whenever/wherever he could just to share his skills whether it be setting up the electricity for the stages at a Christian concert festival called Cornerstone or driving the church van to pick up families for church. Gary and Aida started a food truck called Lapades Oriental, so they could raise enough money to put their daughters through Christian private school.

Gary was difficult, stubborn, ornery, and wanted to do things his way, but he loved fiercely and deeply, even though sometimes all you could see was his tough guy exterior.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Ruth Denell, his loving grandmother Genevieve Walter, his grandparents Gilbert “Gib” and Ella Walter and Edward and Justina Denell, his best friend Dave Kaufman, along with several other relatives.

Left to continue his ministry and carry on his stories and memories are: His loving wife, Aida Denell; two daughters and sons-in-law, Grace and John Cusic and Denise and BJ Russ; four grandsons, Johnathan Cusic, Jake Cusic, Connor Russ, and Brayden Russ; four sisters, Kathy Denell, Jan Gebauer (Gary), Diane Duy (Dieter), Susie aka Itchy Girl Zyla (John); sisters-in-law, Rosa Anderson (Frank) and Trinidad Adrales; aunts Marie Denell and Joyce Self, as well as a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

His impact on others, his generosity, his willingness to give of himself, and most of all, his stubborn personality will live on in our hearts and memories forever.

Receiving of Friends will be held on Monday, September 20, 2021 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm at Unity Baptist Church at 3017 W. Old NC Hwy 150. Crouse, NC 28033 with the service to immediately follow. Pastor Matt Munday will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, cards and memorials may be sent to Aida Denell c/o William Russ, PO Box 1101, Lincolnton, NC 28093

Condolences, photographs, and memories can be posted to: www.gatheringus.com/memorial/gary-denell/8024

Please check the above website for information for the memorial being held in Illinois at a later date.

The Denell family is in the care of Bennett Funeral Service of Newton, 828-465-2111