Gary M. Bunton

Age 86 and a lifelong resident of Coal City, Illinois died Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at The ARC of Dwight.

Born on January 2, 1939, in Morris, Illinois, Gary was a son of Francis Amos and Catherine Alice (Ryan) Bunton. He was raised in Coal City, from where an early age, proved to be a tremendous athlete. He excelled in both baseball and basketball, earning the nickname “Buckets” that would follow him with admiration throughout his life. His primary education began in Assumption Catholic School, and he graduated with the Coal City High School Class of 1957. Gary went on to marry his classmate, Sharon Edwards on August 20, 1960 in Assumption Catholic Church in Coal City, and together they made a home and raised their family. A lifelong lover of farming, Gary embodied the values of hard work, persistence, and connection to nature. His pride in being part of the FFA (Future Farmers of America) as a young man was the seed that blossomed into a lifelong relationship with the soil, livestock, and the spirit of rural life. If ever a man had a love of land and farming in his soul, it was Buckets.

Gary was a proud Teamster who spent years as a cement truck operator and concrete finisher. He was a truck boss on the Edens Expressway project and later took on the independence of being an over-the-road truck driver. Gary’s work ethic continued as he contributed his skills at Cinder Ridge Golf Course and at Berta Lumber, where he was respected and admired by colleagues and customers alike. Gary was a man who found joy in both the everyday and the extraordinary. He had a gift for connection, and he never met a stranger. With an easy smile and genuine interest in others, he always found common ground and made people feel welcome. He was an animal lover and a patron of the performing arts, being honored this past spring along with his wife, with Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Coal City Theatre Department. His fishing trips to Canada were cherished adventures, and Gary will be remembered as a true patriot at heart. He held the utmost respect for those who served, always honoring veterans and service members with admiration and gratitude.

Above all, Gary’s greatest joy and pride was his family. His presence filled every room, field, and road he touched. His love of family, the land, and life itself will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know him.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Sharon; children: Celeste (Michael) Sheridan, John (Ellen) Bunton, Ryan (Sheila) Bunton, and Brock (Natalie) Bunton; ten grandchildren: Colin Sheridan (Maria Pergi), Kyle Behringer (Cassie Mann), Morgan Sheridan, Alex Behringer, Kelsey Behringer, McKenna (Steven) Sheridan Wankowski, Madyson (Carver) Bunton James, Jack Bunton, Enzo Bunton, and Elsa Bunton; four great-grandsons: John Vincent Buck, Liam Ryan Wankowski, Thomas James Behringer, and Rowan Michael Wankowski; brother, John (Barbara) Bunton; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Karen (Jack) Nicoletti and Jacquelyn (Raymond) Hren, and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as cousins and friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block north of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City on Thursday, May 15, 2025 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow on Friday, May 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 215 South Kankakee Street in Coal City. Rev. Josh Miller will preside. Burial will be in Braceville-Gardner Cemetery, and pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be: Colin Sheridan, Morgan Sheridan, Enzo Bunton, Jack Bunton, Kyle Behringer, Alex Behringer, Steven Wankowski and Carver James.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Gary’s memory to the Unit #1 Education Foundation or to the Coal City Firemans Association.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.ReevesFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Gary’s memorial page online through social media.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves, Fruland and Baskerville Funeral Homes. (815-634-2125)