Gary Edward “Jake” Girard

Gary Edward “Jake” Girard, 70, passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2023, with his beloved wife, Donna at his side. Born July 18, 1953, in Park Forest, Ill., he was the son of the late Warren and Dorothy Girard. Gary was baptized in 1953 and had his first communion on November 19, 1960, at Infant Jesus of Prague Church in Flossmoor, Ill.

Gary graduated from Homewood Flossmoor High School and worked in accounting for 25 years for Commonwealth Edison in downtown Chicago. During his time at Commonwealth Edison, Gary earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from DePaul University.

On Sept. 21, 1974, he married the late Marion (Overal) Girard who he had two children with Jim Girard and Amanda Labelle. Gary was nicknamed uncle “Jake” by his nephews and that nickname stuck the rest of his life. After retirement, he spent his remaining years on Pike Lake and in Minocqua where he made many friends. Gary loved fishing, model railroading, and solving the world’s problems over a drink with his family and buddies. In 2010, Gary married Donna (Retzlaff) Girard who lovingly cared for her husband in the final years of his life. Gary was a member at Heart of a Nation Catholic Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Warren and Dorothy Girard. Gary is survived by his wife: Donna Girard; children: Jim (Melissa) Girard and Amanda (Paul) LaBelle; grandchildren: Kevin Girard, Matthew LaBelle, Ethan LaBelle, and Andrew LaBelle; stepchildren Austin (Crystal) Retzlaff and Kolt (Annie) Retzlaff and their children Evan Retzlaff, Onan Retzlaff, Egen Retzlaff, Lillian Retzlaff, and Lincoln Retzlaff. He is also survived by two sisters: Janet (Rodney) Freitag and Joy (William) Smolik.

A celebration of life will be held at Nimsgern Funeral Home in Woodruff, on Monday, Sept. 25, at 3 p.m. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of the celebration.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com. Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Services is serving the family.