Gary "Joe" Laird

Gary “Joe” Laird, 85, of Litchfield, passed away at 8:58 a.m., on Friday, August 19, 2022 at Copper Creek Cottages Memory Care of Litchfield.  Mr. Laird was born on January 30, 1937 in Litchfield, a son to James Harry Laird and Velma (McGown) Laird.  He was a graduate of Litchfield High School in 1954.  He married the former Shirley Ann Niehaus on January 17, 1955 in St. Louis, MO.  Mr. Laird was a coal miner with Monterey Coal Company in Carlinville for 30 years.  He also spent time employed by Curry Redi Mix, Buske Lines and Laclede Steel in Alton.  He enjoyed working in his shop and watching a variety of sports.

In addition to his wife Shirley, he is survived by:

2 daughters, Debbie Wendel, & Jamie (Jim) Stitt, all of Litchfield,

8 grandchildren, Chad Sikorski, Joshua (Lainey) Fenton, Mika Moss, Brett Laird, Brian Laird, Brittany (Josh) Ronco, Megan Olson & Ashley (Parker) Wichmann,

3 step-grandchildren, Ryan Stitt, Emily Stitt & Liam Hires,

5 great-grandchildren, Marah Fenton, Westin Fenton, Brayden Ronco, Bentley Ronco & Payton Ronco.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Laird was preceded in death by his son, Joseph
Todd Laird, his daughter-in-law Susan (Barney) Laird, and 2 sisters, Betty Buske & Dolores “Dodie” Bandy.

A graveside service will be held for Mr. Laird will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 25, 2022 at Elm Lawn Cemetery in Litchfield.  A funeral procession line-up will be organized at 10:30 a.m. at the Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield to proceed to the cemetery. Nancy Bandy, Mr. Laird’s niece, will officiate.  There will be no visitation.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Litchfield Athletic Program or to the Litchfield Park District.

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