McCandless, Gary L.Gary L. McCandless, 73 of Washington, Illinois passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at 3:02pm at the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, Peoria, Illinois.A celebration of life service will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 1pm at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Normal, with Pastor Paul Jenkins officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 24, 2017 from 4-7pm at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington.In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, 8630 Illinois State Route 91, Peoria, Illinois 61615 or to St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1710 W. College Avenue, Normal, Illinois 61761.Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, Illinois in charge of arrangements.Gary was born on July 30, 1943 in Saginaw, Michigan, the son of James and Opal Holsworth McCandless. He married Sandra Peterson on August 29, 1964 in Eagle River, Wisconsin.Gary is survived by his wife Sandra, their children: Mark (Colleen) McCandless of Normal, Michelle (Mark) Woith of Germany, Kristin (Marty) Young of Bloomington, Loree (Jeff) Davis of Normal and Stephen (Tina) McCandless of Edelstein, Illinois. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren, his brother and sister: Jim (Carol) McCandless of Mondovi, Wisconsin and Sandra Horning of Marathon City, Wisconsin.He is preceded by his parents and 1 sister: Gail Rice.Gary retired from GTE later known as Verizon in 2000 after 35 years. He is a member of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Normal, he enjoyed spending time in the outdoors and talking with people through Amateur Radio (Ham Radio).Gary was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He will be deeply missed by all his family. The family would like to send a special thank you to the nurses and doctors at the Richard L. Owens Hospice home for their care and compassion.Online condolences may be made to www.calvertmemorial.com