IN MEMORIAM

EXPANDED EULOGIES

“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased largely as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.

Gary Schuler

A celebration of life for Gary Alan Schuler, 72, who died peacefully at home May 15, 2026, closing the final chapter of his adventurous life, is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Grace Community Church, 1600 S. Anderson Rd, Newton.

A live stream of the event will be available at https://www.youtube.com/@gracecommunitynewton. The event also will be recorded and available to view anytime at https://www.facebook.com/gary.schuler.

Born November 2, 1953, in Ransom, Gary grew up on a farm in western Kansas.

In 1976, he graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in natural resources management.

After college, he spent two summers as a park ranger at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, where his favorite responsibility was working with the park’s bison herd.

The remainder of his career was spent as a district conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Marion.

Gary lived a quiet life, caring for both the land and people. He would start each day by walking his dog through the family’s pasture.

He was a member of Grace Community Church in Newton, where he and his wife, Mary, led a care group for more than 10 years. He loved working behind the scenes to help those in need.

Gary’s greatest joy was spending time with his family. Family vacations to national parks always were a priority and a highlight.

A longtime amateur geologist, Gary spent much of his retirement restoring a prehistoric cave, flint-knapping arrowheads, and writing adventure novels for young readers.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; son Matthew and wife Irene of Mountain View, California; son Timothy, wife Allison, and grandson Otto of Manhattan; and sister Judy DeFord and husband Bob of Omaha.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Erma Schuler of Ness City; brother Ken of Udall; brother Danny of Ness City; and sister Jeanne of Newton.

Flowers may be ordered through Aunt Bee’s in Marion at (620) 382-3030. All financial gifts will be donated to Compassion International, an organization close to Gary’s heart.

Online condolences at www.jostfuneralhome.com.