:quality(70):focal(734x564:744x574)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/shawmedia/G2SWDVRWANCG5GEK226LQAD5M4.jpg)
Gary Bailey, 86, of Winterset, formerly of the Creston and Afton areas, died Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr. A Celebration of Life Service will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 6, at Powers Funeral Home in Afton. Pastor Jodi Rushing will officiate the service. The burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Afton. Flag presentation will be by the Theodore J. Martens Post 1797 of the Creston V.F.W. Open visitation with family receiving friends will be 1- 5 p.m., Saturday, April 5, at Powers Funeral Home in Afton with Masonic Services beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Memorials are kindly suggested to the Clearview Home & Hospice or Shriner’s Hospital for Children. Online condolences can be given at www.powersfh.com.
Gary Ross Bailey, son of Jesse “Doc” Ross Bailey and Maymie Pearl (Petersohn) Bailey, was born March 17, 1939, in rural Union County in Thayer. Gary graduated from Thayer High School with the class of 1957. After graduation, Gary was united in marriage to Linda Stalker on June 5, 1960, in Creston. The two settled in Creston where Gary worked at the Coke Plant actively driving a delivery route. In 1962 Gary served his country as a part of the United States Army until his honorable discharge in 1964.
After leaving the military they settled in Afton, working for U.P.S. in Creston. He would then work for Creston Feed & Grain and Springfield Plastics. Gary and Linda later divorced. While working for B&K Commercial Agriculture, Gary actively helped with the building of grain bins and elevators.
On April 14, 1984, Gary was united in marriage to Connie (Callison) Utsler in Kellerton. The two moved to Mount Ayr where he owned and operated a car wash. While in Mount Ayr, Gary also ran a lawn care service that was a Walker Lawn Mower dealership for 20 years. As part of his lawn care business Gary took care of Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr. Following Gary’s retirement in 2003 he moved to rural Winterset.
Gary was a member of the Methodist Church and a 50-year member of the Crest City Masonic Lodge #522. He spent many years as a member of the Za Ga Zig Shrine and the Creston B.P.O. Elks Lodge #605. Gary enjoyed playing softball and pool. He was also particularly passionate about the game of golf and was a member of the development group who established the Lakeshore Golf and Country Club, where he was a member for many years. He also was a member of the Mount Ayr and Winterset country clubs.
Gary is survived by his two daughters, Lisa (Bill) Gergerson of Indianola and Stacy Christiansen of Des Moines; a brother Bill (Marge) Bailey of Creston; a sister Phyllis Clark of Afton; two sisters-in-law, Delores Bailey of Chapin and Shirley Bailey of Creston; two grandchildren, Bailey (Kohl) Dusenbery of Indianola and Brandon (Lindsey) Gregerson of Urbandale; two great-grandchildren, Peyton and Kaycee Dusenbery and his furry companion, Bella.
Preceding him in death are his parents; wife Connie Bailey in 2021; his two sisters, Betty (Leland) Eckhardt and Ruby (Ronald) Cornelison; his two brothers, Robert and Richard Bailey; brother-in-law Donald Clark and four furbabies: Sammie, Mindy, Jody and Blondie.