Gary William Felske

Gary William Felske, 78, of Erie, Il passed away on Saturday, August 9th, 2025 at the Silvis Center in Silvis, IL. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 11 A.M. at Vandemore Funeral Home and Crematory – Geneseo Chapel. Pastor Barry Wynveen will officiate. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Geneseo, IL. Visitaton will be held prior to the service from 10 A.M. – 11 A.M. at Vandemore Funeral Home and Crematory – Geneseo Chapel. The family has requested everyone wear causal clothing to Gary’s services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Geneseo Humane Society or the Erie Fire and Ambulance Services.

Gary was born in Geneseo, IL on Janurary 25, 1947, the son of Elon and Regenea (Bollen) Felske. He graduated from J.D. Darnell High School in 1965. Gary proudly served his country in the Vietnam War from 1966-1968 as a carpenter in the Army M.U.S.T surgical unit. Gary came home and was the proud owner of Porky’s Korner Tap from 1984 – 1986. On September 20, 1986, Gary married Shelley Stenzel. He owned and operated Sasprilla Saloon from 1997-2004. Gary worked as a carpenter for the Local 166 at CPI Construction before retiring from Russell Construction as a superintendent in 2002. He was the proud owner of Firearms and Supplies for 35 years.  In his free time, he enjoyed hunting. He was an active member of the NWTF, the NRA, and the Motorcycle Association. Gary also loved his cats and raccoons.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Shelley of Erie, IL; sisters, Diane (Gene) Hartsock of Geneseo, IL, Janet Anderson of Andover, IL, Sandi (Jerry) Challenor of  Florida; sister-in-law; Dee Swanson of Geneseo, IL; brother in laws, Scott Stenzel of Arizona, and Terry (Lesley) Stenzel of Arizona; mother in law, Carolyn Stenzel of Geneseo, IL; nieces, Melissa (Brett) Swanson of Colona, IL, Isabella Stenzel of Iowa, Kelli (Evan) Packer of Nevada and Kari (Joe) Ballegeer of Colona, IL; and niece and nephew, Teigan and Dawson Stenzel

He is preceded in death by his parents, Elon and Regenea; brother Tim Felske; sister, Adele Moens; father in law, Ron Stenzel; brother in law, Curt Swanson.