Gary Lee Carmen

Gary Lee Carmen, 78, of Lees Summit, Missouri, formerly of Vandalia, Illinois, passed away Sunday, May 29, 2022, in Lees Summit, Missouri. 

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 25, 2022, at Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, IL, with Pastor Bruce Sasse officiating. Burial will follow at Farmers Cemetery, Rural Shobonier, IL. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 25, 2022, 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials: Vandalia YMCA. Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, IL, is in charge of arrangements. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.millerfh.net. 

He was born April 26, 1944, in Phillipsburg, NJ, the son of Floyd & Mildred Belkey. Married Linda Kay (Bush) Carmen on July 11, 1964, Belvidere, NJ. 

Gary moved to Vandalia in 1969 from Belvedere NJ, at that time he was the Decorating manager for IMCO Plastics, he later moved to California to become an assistant plant manager. He returned to Vandalia in 1978 to become the Plant Manager at Imco, which later became Owens Brockway.  He helped to expend the plant to make it one of the largest Owens Brockway factories. 

Gary helped with the planning and development of the youth football program, he was a past president of the Chamber of Commerce, he served on the Vandalia School Board, was a past member of the Rotary and Lions clubs. 

Gary was an avid fisherman, helping with the fishing club in Vandalia.  He organized a bass fishing tournament at Vandalia Lake to raise money for the handicapped fishing dock that is still used today. After Gary retired from Owens Brockway he opened a used car lot in Vandalia, Gary’s North End motors, later he moved to Lee's Summit, MO and worked at his oldest son’s business (Bullet Proof Designs). 

Gary enjoyed Nascar, working in his garden and mowing his yard. 

He is survived by: Wife - Linda Carmen, Lees Summit, MO; Sons - Gary "Bud" Carmen II & Beth, Lake Winnebago, MO and Ryan Carmen & Michelle, Brownsburg, IN; Daughter - Kris Nalley, Vandalia, IL; Sisters - Linda Rasely & Richard, Ormond Beach, FL, Peggy Louck, Daytona Beach, FL and Robin Hildebrant, Easton, PA; Brother - Shawn Belkey & Donna, Martins Creek, PA; Grandchildren - Zachary Nalley & Stacie, Jacob Nalley & Ashley, Chloe Carmen and Samantha Carmen; and Great Grandchildren - Olivia and Everlee Nalley. 

Preceded in death by: His Parents; 1 Sister; 2 Brothers; and his Son-in-Law.

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