Gary Wayne Bales, 68, of Osage Beach, formerly of Crocker, was born on February 27, 1953, at Rolla a son of James Howard, Jr. and Mabel Maxine (Bridgeman) Bales and departed this life at 12:08 p.m., Monday, January 24, 2022 in the Lake Region Health System, Osage Beach.

Gary was united in marriage on August 28, 2005, at Crocker, to Miss Brenda Lee McMillian. He was preceded in death by his father, James on July 14, 1986; his mother, Maxine in 2005 and his sister, Judy Bales Rose in March 2002.

Gary was baptized in October 2011 while attending the Hawkeye Baptist Church near Crocker. He had worked in construction all his working life until his health began to fail him. Gary enjoyed reading, woodworking, the Kansas City Chiefs and the St. Louis Cardinals. After he and Brenda moved to the lake area, together they enjoyed fishing.

Those left to mourn the passing of Gary include: his wife, Brenda Bales of the home in Osage Beach; cousins, Jeff Pohl, Bobby Pohl, Christie Pohl, Richard Bales and Jim Bales, many other cousins, special neighbor and friends, Denise Hanus, the Benoit family and many other relatives and dear friends.

Visitation will be held for Gary from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m., all on Saturday, February 12, 2022 in the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Crocker with Pastor Doug Jacobson, Eureka Baptist Church, Richland officiating.

Private burial will be held at a later date and time in the Crocker Cemetery under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Crocker.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Lung Association or the American Diabetes Association in Memory of Mr. Gary W. Bales with envelopes available at the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Crocker.