The son of George Moritz Hoelzel and Anna Margaret "Ann" Harbberts, Gavin was born in Pekin Hospital in Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois. He served in the United States Army during World War II.
Gavin married Luella Mae "Lu" Hochstetler on 29 Dec 1945 in the Congregational Church in South Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Earl Joseph Hochstettler and Alma Eva Becker.
Gavin and Luella were the parents of 3 children. The family lived in South Pekin for 15 years before moving to a beautiful home they built on property they purchased in rural Pekin. They lived there until the 1980's.
Like his father and younger brother, Gavin was a career railroad man. He was a brakeman and conductor for the Chicago and North Western for 39 years. He operated Hoelzel's TV and Appliances in the late 1950's, and also helped Luella run the family egg and chicken business for many years on their farm located just east of South Pekin.
Gavin was actively involved in local politics and a wide variety of organizations. He was elected Assessor for Cincinnati Township in Tazewell County, and served as a member of the Rankin Elementary School Board. He was a steward with the United Transportation Union.
The Hoelzels moved to Warsaw, Benton County, Missouri after Gavin's retirement from the railroad. They later made their home in Gardnerville, Nevada.
He belonged to Pekin Empire Lodge 126. While living in Nevada, he joined the Carson Valley Lodge 33. He maintained a dual membership in both, and was a Mason for 70 years.
He belonged to the Kiwanis, the Kerak Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (now known as Shriners International) in Gardnerville, and the American Legion.
Gavin took a job as a Walmart greeter in Carson City, Nevada where he worked until suffering a stroke in 2008.
During the first part of 2014, the Hoelzels moved to an assisted living facility in Overland Park, Kansas. A beloved granddaughter, (Living) Cornelius, was a resident in a nearby area and devoted herself to helping them maintain their independence.
Gavin became a resident of a Hospice House in mid-July of 2015 as his health continued to decline. He passed away there at the age of 92 years, 2 months and 22 days.
He was survived by Luella, his wife of almost 70 years; 3 daughters and 1 son-in-law, (Living) Proctor and her husband, Bill Proctor, of Schertz, Texas, (Living) Hoelzel of South Pekin, and (Living) Gunsten of Minden, Nevada; 5 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and 7 cousins.
Gavin was preceded in death by his mother and father; and 1 brother, Bud Hoelzel.
In accordance with his wishes, the body was cremated. His ashes were interred at Woodrow Cemetery in Pekin, Illinois during a graveside service conducted at 11 a.m. on the morning of 09 Sep 2015. Following ceremonies at the cemetery, a service was then conducted at Congregational Christian Church in South Pekin.
The family requested that memorials, if desired, be made to the church in lieu of flowers.
After Gavin's death, Luella eventually moved to Kentucky. She lived in assisted living home near her oldest daughter and another granddaughter. As her health dictated that she needed more care, she became a resident at Nazareth Nursing Facility. She passed away there in 2023 at the age of 98.
Graveside services for Luella were conducted at 11 a.m. on the morning of 07 Aug 2023 at Woodrow Cemetery in Pekin. A luncheon and celebration of life followed in the fellowship hall of South Pekin Congregational Church, where Luella had taught Sunday school many years ago.
Children: 3 daughters.
Father of:
(Living) Hoelzel Harris Proctor
(Living) Hoelzel Green
(Living) Hoelzel Gunsten
Gavin's sibling:
George Lyle "Bud" Hoelzel
Gavin married Luella Mae "Lu" Hochstetler on 29 Dec 1945 in the Congregational Church in South Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Earl Joseph Hochstettler and Alma Eva Becker.
Gavin and Luella were the parents of 3 children. The family lived in South Pekin for 15 years before moving to a beautiful home they built on property they purchased in rural Pekin. They lived there until the 1980's.
Like his father and younger brother, Gavin was a career railroad man. He was a brakeman and conductor for the Chicago and North Western for 39 years. He operated Hoelzel's TV and Appliances in the late 1950's, and also helped Luella run the family egg and chicken business for many years on their farm located just east of South Pekin.
Gavin was actively involved in local politics and a wide variety of organizations. He was elected Assessor for Cincinnati Township in Tazewell County, and served as a member of the Rankin Elementary School Board. He was a steward with the United Transportation Union.
The Hoelzels moved to Warsaw, Benton County, Missouri after Gavin's retirement from the railroad. They later made their home in Gardnerville, Nevada.
He belonged to Pekin Empire Lodge 126. While living in Nevada, he joined the Carson Valley Lodge 33. He maintained a dual membership in both, and was a Mason for 70 years.
He belonged to the Kiwanis, the Kerak Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (now known as Shriners International) in Gardnerville, and the American Legion.
Gavin took a job as a Walmart greeter in Carson City, Nevada where he worked until suffering a stroke in 2008.
During the first part of 2014, the Hoelzels moved to an assisted living facility in Overland Park, Kansas. A beloved granddaughter, (Living) Cornelius, was a resident in a nearby area and devoted herself to helping them maintain their independence.
Gavin became a resident of a Hospice House in mid-July of 2015 as his health continued to decline. He passed away there at the age of 92 years, 2 months and 22 days.
He was survived by Luella, his wife of almost 70 years; 3 daughters and 1 son-in-law, (Living) Proctor and her husband, Bill Proctor, of Schertz, Texas, (Living) Hoelzel of South Pekin, and (Living) Gunsten of Minden, Nevada; 5 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and 7 cousins.
Gavin was preceded in death by his mother and father; and 1 brother, Bud Hoelzel.
In accordance with his wishes, the body was cremated. His ashes were interred at Woodrow Cemetery in Pekin, Illinois during a graveside service conducted at 11 a.m. on the morning of 09 Sep 2015. Following ceremonies at the cemetery, a service was then conducted at Congregational Christian Church in South Pekin.
The family requested that memorials, if desired, be made to the church in lieu of flowers.
After Gavin's death, Luella eventually moved to Kentucky. She lived in assisted living home near her oldest daughter and another granddaughter. As her health dictated that she needed more care, she became a resident at Nazareth Nursing Facility. She passed away there in 2023 at the age of 98.
Graveside services for Luella were conducted at 11 a.m. on the morning of 07 Aug 2023 at Woodrow Cemetery in Pekin. A luncheon and celebration of life followed in the fellowship hall of South Pekin Congregational Church, where Luella had taught Sunday school many years ago.
Children: 3 daughters.
Father of:
(Living) Hoelzel Harris Proctor
(Living) Hoelzel Green
(Living) Hoelzel Gunsten
Gavin's sibling:
George Lyle "Bud" Hoelzel
The son of George Moritz Hoelzel and Anna Margaret "Ann" Harbberts, Gavin was born in Pekin Hospital in Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois. He served in the United States Army during World War II.
Gavin married Luella Mae "Lu" Hochstetler on 29 Dec 1945 in the Congregational Church in South Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Earl Joseph Hochstettler and Alma Eva Becker.
Gavin and Luella were the parents of 3 children. The family lived in South Pekin for 15 years before moving to a beautiful home they built on property they purchased in rural Pekin. They lived there until the 1980's.
Like his father and younger brother, Gavin was a career railroad man. He was a brakeman and conductor for the Chicago and North Western for 39 years. He operated Hoelzel's TV and Appliances in the late 1950's, and also helped Luella run the family egg and chicken business for many years on their farm located just east of South Pekin.
Gavin was actively involved in local politics and a wide variety of organizations. He was elected Assessor for Cincinnati Township in Tazewell County, and served as a member of the Rankin Elementary School Board. He was a steward with the United Transportation Union.
The Hoelzels moved to Warsaw, Benton County, Missouri after Gavin's retirement from the railroad. They later made their home in Gardnerville, Nevada.
He belonged to Pekin Empire Lodge 126. While living in Nevada, he joined the Carson Valley Lodge 33. He maintained a dual membership in both, and was a Mason for 70 years.
He belonged to the Kiwanis, the Kerak Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (now known as Shriners International) in Gardnerville, and the American Legion.
Gavin took a job as a Walmart greeter in Carson City, Nevada where he worked until suffering a stroke in 2008.
During the first part of 2014, the Hoelzels moved to an assisted living facility in Overland Park, Kansas. A beloved granddaughter, (Living) Cornelius, was a resident in a nearby area and devoted herself to helping them maintain their independence.
Gavin became a resident of a Hospice House in mid-July of 2015 as his health continued to decline. He passed away there at the age of 92 years, 2 months and 22 days.
He was survived by Luella, his wife of almost 70 years; 3 daughters and 1 son-in-law, (Living) Proctor and her husband, Bill Proctor, of Schertz, Texas, (Living) Hoelzel of South Pekin, and (Living) Gunsten of Minden, Nevada; 5 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and 7 cousins.
Gavin was preceded in death by his mother and father; and 1 brother, Bud Hoelzel.
In accordance with his wishes, the body was cremated. His ashes were interred at Woodrow Cemetery in Pekin, Illinois during a graveside service conducted at 11 a.m. on the morning of 09 Sep 2015. Following ceremonies at the cemetery, a service was then conducted at Congregational Christian Church in South Pekin.
The family requested that memorials, if desired, be made to the church in lieu of flowers.
After Gavin's death, Luella eventually moved to Kentucky. She lived in assisted living home near her oldest daughter and another granddaughter. As her health dictated that she needed more care, she became a resident at Nazareth Nursing Facility. She passed away there in 2023 at the age of 98.
Graveside services for Luella were conducted at 11 a.m. on the morning of 07 Aug 2023 at Woodrow Cemetery in Pekin. A luncheon and celebration of life followed in the fellowship hall of South Pekin Congregational Church, where Luella had taught Sunday school many years ago.
Children: 3 daughters.
Father of:
(Living) Hoelzel Harris Proctor
(Living) Hoelzel Green
(Living) Hoelzel Gunsten
Gavin's sibling:
George Lyle "Bud" Hoelzel
Gavin married Luella Mae "Lu" Hochstetler on 29 Dec 1945 in the Congregational Church in South Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Earl Joseph Hochstettler and Alma Eva Becker.
Gavin and Luella were the parents of 3 children. The family lived in South Pekin for 15 years before moving to a beautiful home they built on property they purchased in rural Pekin. They lived there until the 1980's.
Like his father and younger brother, Gavin was a career railroad man. He was a brakeman and conductor for the Chicago and North Western for 39 years. He operated Hoelzel's TV and Appliances in the late 1950's, and also helped Luella run the family egg and chicken business for many years on their farm located just east of South Pekin.
Gavin was actively involved in local politics and a wide variety of organizations. He was elected Assessor for Cincinnati Township in Tazewell County, and served as a member of the Rankin Elementary School Board. He was a steward with the United Transportation Union.
The Hoelzels moved to Warsaw, Benton County, Missouri after Gavin's retirement from the railroad. They later made their home in Gardnerville, Nevada.
He belonged to Pekin Empire Lodge 126. While living in Nevada, he joined the Carson Valley Lodge 33. He maintained a dual membership in both, and was a Mason for 70 years.
He belonged to the Kiwanis, the Kerak Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (now known as Shriners International) in Gardnerville, and the American Legion.
Gavin took a job as a Walmart greeter in Carson City, Nevada where he worked until suffering a stroke in 2008.
During the first part of 2014, the Hoelzels moved to an assisted living facility in Overland Park, Kansas. A beloved granddaughter, (Living) Cornelius, was a resident in a nearby area and devoted herself to helping them maintain their independence.
Gavin became a resident of a Hospice House in mid-July of 2015 as his health continued to decline. He passed away there at the age of 92 years, 2 months and 22 days.
He was survived by Luella, his wife of almost 70 years; 3 daughters and 1 son-in-law, (Living) Proctor and her husband, Bill Proctor, of Schertz, Texas, (Living) Hoelzel of South Pekin, and (Living) Gunsten of Minden, Nevada; 5 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and 7 cousins.
Gavin was preceded in death by his mother and father; and 1 brother, Bud Hoelzel.
In accordance with his wishes, the body was cremated. His ashes were interred at Woodrow Cemetery in Pekin, Illinois during a graveside service conducted at 11 a.m. on the morning of 09 Sep 2015. Following ceremonies at the cemetery, a service was then conducted at Congregational Christian Church in South Pekin.
The family requested that memorials, if desired, be made to the church in lieu of flowers.
After Gavin's death, Luella eventually moved to Kentucky. She lived in assisted living home near her oldest daughter and another granddaughter. As her health dictated that she needed more care, she became a resident at Nazareth Nursing Facility. She passed away there in 2023 at the age of 98.
Graveside services for Luella were conducted at 11 a.m. on the morning of 07 Aug 2023 at Woodrow Cemetery in Pekin. A luncheon and celebration of life followed in the fellowship hall of South Pekin Congregational Church, where Luella had taught Sunday school many years ago.
Children: 3 daughters.
Father of:
(Living) Hoelzel Harris Proctor
(Living) Hoelzel Green
(Living) Hoelzel Gunsten
Gavin's sibling:
George Lyle "Bud" Hoelzel
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
