Gary Wayne Buehrer, age 85, entered into rest on June 9, 2026, at his home in Troy, Illinois. Born in Granite City, Illinois, Gary moved to Collinsville shortly after, where he attended Collinsville schools, played football and basketball, and ran track. While the official roster listed him at an even 6 feet tall, physical evidence suggests this may have been an exaggeration. He graduated from Collinsville High School in 1959 and went on to attend Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina.

Following college, Gary dedicated his career to public service as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer and Criminal Investigator with the U.S. Treasury Department. He accumulated endless stories from his time in service, ranging from back-street, high-speed chases to special details guarding Presidents and dignitaries. He was a force to be reckoned with, and loved ones joke that the only thing worse than being on the receiving end of a door he kicked down was being subjected to one of his infamous, corny "Dad jokes.”

Gary was a man of many passions. He loved horses, trail riding, line dancing, and woodworking. Above all, he loved telling the same jokes to anyone who would listen. He was famous for asking random strangers if he could "borrow some money," and will always be remembered for his quick wit, sarcasm, and fierce checker-playing skills with Grandkids—showing absolutely no mercy. He was known to most children as the “Donald Duck” guy. He had a clear talent to communicate with children thru the technical and well trained Donald Duck voice that entertained children for decades. Gary was a deeply loving grandfather and great-grandfather whose face lit up whenever they walked into the room.

An avid traveler, Gary shared many of his favorite adventures with his siblings, from backpacking through Glacier National Park to celebrating cherished family holidays. Though he struggled with dementia in his later years, he never forgot his family. He spoke of his brother, Rolland, nearly every day, and after moving back to the area in 2020, he treasured the extra time he was able to spend with family.

Gary loved the Lord. He experienced all the ups and downs of life but never wavered in his love for Jesus. God’s promise allows the family to rest easy that he’s spending eternity in Heaven and the promise we will see him again in a body that is fully restored.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, George Buehrer and Ruby Buehrer (nee Cox); his sister, Gloria Mahr (nee Buehrer); and his brother, George Rolland Buehrer. He leaves behind a large, loving family, including his beloved wife, Charlotte Buehrer (nee Cramer) of Troy, Illinois; his son, Damon Wayne Buehrer (Barbra) of Collinsville, Illinois; and his daughter, Dana Lynn Askew-Harris (nee Buehrer) (Mark) of Saint Jacob, Illinois.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Alysa Fraim (Blue Springs, MO), Caleb Buehrer (Midlothian, TX), Christin Webb (Lebanon, IL), Drew Askew (Jefferson City, MO), Hannah Blankenship (Belleville, IL), and Joshua Buehrer (St. Louis, MO).

His legacy lives on through his great-grandchildren: Jovie Grace Askew, Logan Wyatt Fraim, Quinn Everly Fraim, Lucy Jane Askew, Ansley Joy Fraim, Milo Truett Fraim, Meredith Hope Askew, Ruby Parker Webb, Noel Marie Blankenship, and Daphne Jean Webb.

Services for Gary will be held at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, Illinois, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, with a memorial service immediately following at 3:00 PM.

The service will be officiated by Gary’s grandson, Drew Askew of Freshwater Church in Jefferson City, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association and will be received at the visitation or may be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.