GARY WREN

Gary Wren, age 58, of Maple Park, passed away suddenly Saturday, November 4, 2023, but leaves a lifetime of memories for his family and friends to cherish.

He was born March 24, 1965, in Sycamore, IL, to loving parents, Ted and Janice Wren.

Gary grew up in Elburn and attended local schools. He graduated from Kaneland High School with the class of 1983.

He was united in marriage to Vicki Karametsos in 1986 and were blessed with a daughter Christina. In time, Gary and Vicki would take separate paths. He would be lucky in love a second time when he met Diane Quechol and welcomed two sons, Michael and Matthew.

Gary’s work ethic was forged early in his life. He knew if there was something that he wanted, he would need to work hard for it, so at age 13, he began working at Wasco Inn. He started in the kitchen but worked his way up and became one of the head chefs in later years. Gary dedicated almost 22 years to Meijer in St. Charles. No one was more dedicated to their job than Gary, as his overtime hours could attest to it.

Gary was an avid fisherman and loved to drop a line at Shabbona Lake, but also took advantage local watering holes in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Alabama, where it is to be debated whether the actual catches were bigger than the stories about them. On many trips he took his children, passing on his passion one cast at a time, especially Matthew. The Cubs and the Bears were destination television, but he cheered loudest for Michael when he took to the middle school gridiron in Geneva. The amount of Mountain Dew that Gary consumed on a daily basis was legendary, and cumulatively could not be measured. His sense of humor was all his own and shared freely with anyone he knew. His favorite “nugget of wisdom”, among others, was “It is better to be smartass than a dumbass”. He was unique, he was loved and he will forever be missed.

He is survived by his daughter, Christina Wren; his girlfriend Diane Quechol, and their children, Michael and Matthew Wren; two sisters: Susan McGuffin and Anna Cotton; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a family of friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Janice Wren.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL, 60119, on Friday, November 10, 2023, at 7 p.m. Private family interment will occur at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to your favorite charity. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL, 60119, on Friday, November 10, 2023, at 7 p.m. Private family interment will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to your favorite charity. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.