Gaylene J. Bedeker Obituary (1935 - 2020)

Gaylene J. Bedeker, 85, Pontiac, died at 5:27 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, at OSF St. James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center, Pontiac. Private family services will be held at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home, Pontiac. Burial will be in Wolf Creek Cemetery, rural Streator. Gaylene was born April 22, 1935, in Streator, the daughter of Ray and Juanita Gallup Anders. She married Bob V. Bedeker Nov. 18, 1956, at Grand Ridge Presbyterian Church. He died Aug. 16, 2003. Survivors include her children, Jeff Bedeker, Tremont, and Linda (Bill) Norton, El Paso; three grandsons, Rob (Danielle) Bedeker, Taylor Norton and Nicholas Norton; three great-grandchildren, Amoree Bedeker, Evie Bedeker and Oliver Norton; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Ronald Anders and Merlin Anders. Gaylene was a graduate of Streator High School and previously worked at Humiston Haven in Pontiac, retiring in 1993. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pontiac for more than 50 years, was a volunteer for St. James Auxiliary and a member of the Eastern Star and Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She was a devoted Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan. Gaylene very much loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were a great joy to her. The Bedeker family would like to express a special thanks to Sara and the entire staff at Evenglow Lodge who provided loving care and compassion for Gaylene and a special thanks to the Rev. Gretchen Stinebaugh for being a special friend and a source of comfort to Gaylene and her family. The family suggests memorials be made to First United Methodist Church or Evenglow Lodge Health Center, both in Pontiac.