Gary Pirtle Obituary

Gary L. Pirtle

Gary L. Pirtle, 75, of Glen Ellyn, Illinois died on March 12, 2015. He served our nation for 45 years. The first 20 years he was a member of the U.S. Air Force.

He served across the globe including on Tactical Air Command's Inspector General Team and as non-commissioned officer in command of all security forces at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. After retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant, he served 25 years as a security expert with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. As a young man, Gary was an amateur boxing champion. He was also the first person in his direct family history to obtain college degrees earning both bachelors and master's degrees with the highest honors.

Gary is predeceased by his beloved wife, Rita (Whitehouse); his daughter, Sharon; and his parents, Glenn and Wilma (Vance).

He is survived by his sons, attorney Alan (Cathy) Pirtle of Columbia, IL and veterinarian Roger (Layla) Pirtle of DuQuoin, IL; grandchildren, John, William, Fatima, Michael, and Timothy Pirtle; his brother, Herb Pirtle; aunts, nieces, nephew, and cousins.

On March 21, Gary's remains were laid to rest with full military honors in Bismarck, Missouri. There his remains will peacefully spend eternity next to his loving wife Rita, his daughter, his parents, brother and sister-in-law.

An avid gardener, memorials in Gary Pirtle's name may be sent to the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL.