Submit a PhotoIn Loving Memory of Gary Emile Armstrong
Gary Emile Armstrong, 74, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Ottawa, Illinois, Gary dedicated his life to engineering, specializing in fluid power. Throughout his distinguished career, he earned two patents for aerospace components and was recently inducted into the Milwaukee School of Engineering Hall of Fame in recognition of his lasting contributions to the field. Known for his integrity, strong work ethic, and quiet leadership, Gary always put his family first.
Gary was a devoted husband to his wife, Sheri, with whom he shared 50 years of marriage. He was a loving father to Bret (Heather) and Ryan (Carlene), and a proud “Opa” to his four grandchildren—Cole, Addyson, Cody, and Jake—who brought him immense joy. He was also a caring brother to Judy (William) and a cherished uncle to Brian, Melissa, Casey, and Matthew.
A lifelong baseball enthusiast, Gary loved watching his family play sports. Whether coaching Little League from the field or cheering from the sidelines, he was always there with encouragement and support. He truly was everyone’s number one fan, rarely missed a game and could be heard yelling “battle”. Gary also enjoyed watching the Chicago Bears and Diamondbacks, woodworking, and lending a helping hand to friends and family. He was often the first call when something needed fixing, always offering his time, expertise and a solution.
Gary is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and sister. A celebration of Gary’s life will take place on January 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Gilbert Memorial Park, followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gary’s memory to the Milwaukee School of Engineering Annual Scholarship Fund at https://give.msoe.edu/g/donation.
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What a beautiful obituary…but what’s missing is the amazing friend Gary was. He was always there with help of any kind. He was a mentor in many aspects of life. But one of the most endearing things about Gary was his sense of humor, his smile but oh boy his laugh! Completely contagious. He cherished his family and adored Sheri. Gary and Sheri Armstrong two amazing people that made an incredible family out of their love. We loved you Gary…Mike and Linda
I’m so grateful for all the time I got spend with Gary over the years. The epitome of family, friendship, and class. Thank you for everything I’ve learned from you and for being my friend. You are already missed