Gary W. Pannier

Gary Wayne Pannier, age 75, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the VA Medical Center in Des Moines.

A funeral service will be held for Gary on Tuesday, May 27th at 11 am at the Merle Hay Chapel, the family will greet friends from 10 am until service time.  Burial will Air Force Honors will be at 2 pm at the Iowa Veteran Cemetery.

Gary was born to his parents, Clarence and Marian Pannier on April 1, 1950, in Neillsville, Wisconsin.  In 1958 the family moved to Springfield, Illinois where Gary attended Trinity Lutheran School.  In 1962 his dad moved the family to Schleswig, Iowa for 4 years, then to Urbandale, Iowa where Gary graduated from high school.  In 1968, he enrolled in Concordia Teacher’s College in Sweard, Nebraska.  On June 24, 1970, he entered active duty in the Air Force and took his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He was then stationed at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base in Kansas City, MO where he trained as a fire fighter. In 1974 Gary was honorably discharged. Due to illness, he resided at various VA homes and care centers.

Gary always enjoyed playing golf and distance running for hobbies. He also enjoyed spending time at the Senior Citizen Center in Pleasant Hill visiting with his many friends. Gary was a member of Hope Lutheran Church of Des Moines and throughout his life, he always professed a strong faith in His Savoir, Jesus Christ.

He is survived by one sister, Dianne Marti of LeClaire, Iowa and three brothers, Steven Pannier of Plymouth, Minnesota, and Randy Pannier and Phil Pannier both of Appleton, Wisconsin.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Clarence and Marian Pannier and one sister, Cheryl Pannier.