Gay Lee Elks, 86, of Ipava, formerly of San Jose, died at the Clayberg Nursing Home in Cuba on Nov. 5, 2024.Gay Lee Elks, 86, of Ipava, formerly of San Jose, died at the Clayberg Nursing Home in Cuba on Nov. 5, 2024.
She was born June 10, 1938, in Peoria, a daughter of Martin and Opal Miller Bartman. She married Joe Elks on July 31, 1961, in San Jose. He survives.
Also surviving are two children, Joe E. (Ken Reid) Elks Jr. of Sydney, Australia, and Rene (Julio Cedillo) Elks-Cedillo of Ipava; one sister, Charlotte (and Don) Brewer of Kansas; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many surrogate children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one daughter, Kalyn Janz.
She was a member of San Jose United Methodist Church. She attended Illinois State University and Chicago State University and Northern Illinois University. Most of her teaching career was dedicated to Special Education and teaching severely and profoundly emotionally disturbed children. She was a lay minister for the United Methodist Church.
Funeral services were held Saturday at San Jose United Methodist Church with Pastor Dawn Bevan officiating. Burial was at Green Hill Cemetery in San Jose. Hurley Funeral Home in Mason City was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made in Gay Lee’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association or Friends of the Children of Haiti.
Condolences may be sent to www.hurleyfh.com.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus