Gerald T. "Gary" Powers

Gerald T. “Gary” Powers, 77, of New Castle, formerly of Shelbyville, passed away Sunday, June 18, 2017 at his residence. He was born December 15, 1939, in Greensburg, the son of Harry and Mabel (Redd) Powers. On October 30, 1971, he married Phyllis (Bills), and she survives. Gary is also survived by his children, Patricia “Patti” Whipple of Indianapolis, Cindy Whipple of Charlotte, North Carolina, Mary Elizabeth “Betsy” Ogden of Avon, and Gary Daniel “Danny” Powers of Shelbyville; sister, Margaret “Maggie” Dance of Greensburg; grandchildren, Thalia, Andrew, Jerrod, Gregory, Barbara, Darin, David, Mallory and Kyle; and great-grandchildren, Aurelia, Bailey, Gabe, Emma, Hunter, Mikaela, Bree and Jake. He was also preceded in death by his parents; children, Teresa Taylor and James “Rusty” Whipple; and siblings, Billy Bob Powers, Harry Powers, Richard Powers, George Powers, Harold Powers, Dave Powers, Danny Powers and Dorothy Powers; and half-sister, Karmen Francis. Gary was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witness. He was a machinist at Wellman Thermal Systems, retiring in 1997. Gary collected elephants and enjoyed playing solitaire on his computer. He loved his family and was known as “Grandpa Cookie”. A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 2, 2017 at Gary’s home at 1343 Q. Avenue in New Castle, with a pitch in dinner. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville.