Gayle Harris, 86, of Fairfield passed away on Friday, October 13, 2023, at Aperion Care in Fairfield. Gayle was born on October 3, 1937, in rural Fairfield to Carl and Helen (Zimmerman) Harris. Gayle was a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he was a flight mechanic on fighter jets. After his discharge, he worked as an auto mechanic for Musgrave Ford Sales, which later became Lear Ford Mercury. He then opened his own shop, Gayle’s Auto Repair in Fairfield. Gayle also proudly served for a number of years on the Wayne County Board.
Gayle is survived by the love of his life, Esta Harris; his children Sherrie (Roger) Turpin of Albion, Illinois, and Richard (Susan) Harris of Wichita, Kansas; Esta’s daughters Donna Alexander of Evansville, Indiana, and Carla Dunahay of Fairfield, Illinois; eight grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren, with two more on the way; brother, Chalon (Karla) Harris of Sandpoint, Idaho, and sisters Anita (Harold) Witter of Barnhill, and Lori (Joe) Gabbard of Fairfield.
Gayle was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Helen Harris, his sister, Doris Enright, and infant twin brothers.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, November 3, at 11:00 at the Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home, Fairfield, Illinois, with Brad Henson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial with military rights provided by Anthony Wayne Post #176 American Legion and the Wayne County Post #4535 VFW will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Fairfield.
Memorial contributions may be made to Quilts of Valor and will be accepted at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home which is in charge of all the arrangements.
