Gail Kay Starwalt

July 30, 1938 - August 31, 2016

Mattoon, IL – Gail K. Starwalt, age 78, of Mattoon, IL, passed away at 9:40 a.m., Wednesday, August 31, 2016, at her residence. The funeral service in her honor will begin at 11:30, Saturday, September 3, 2016, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938. Pastor Johnny Aseltine will officiate. Interment will be at Janesville Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the service begins. Born July 30, 1938, in Charleston, IL, Gail was the daughter of Seymour and Dorothy (Willan) Starwalt. She married Basil Starwalt on July 30, 1955. They enjoyed nearly 50 years of marriage before he passed away on March 7, 2005. Survivors include their children: Brenda Starwalt Dwyer and husband Kevin of Mattoon, IL, Tammy Hoevel of Nashville, TN, and Kim Carter and husband Mike of Mattoon, IL; five grandchildren, Brittany Miller of Mattoon, IL, Kristin Hoevel Bollinger and husband Jon of Nashville, TN, Derek Hoevel and wife Vanessa of Nashville, TN, Leah Carter Bolander and husband Lucas of Newton, IL, and Hannah Carter Higgins and husband Mike of Royal, IL; four great-grandchildren, Sophie Bollinger of Nashville, TN, Adalie Higgins of Royal, IL, Emilia Higgins of Royal, IL, and Lydia Bolander of Newton, IL; and son-in-law, Jack Hoevel and wife Laura of St. Louis, MO. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Raymond Starwalt and Rick Starwalt. Gail was a homemaker and a member of the Women’s Bowling Association and the Rogala Golf League. She was high-spirited and loved by all. She especially enjoyed spending time and traveling with family. She was an avid bowler and golfer for many years, loved reading, working crossword puzzles, and playing lively games of “Charleston.” With a zest for sports, she rarely missed cheering on the Fighting Illini and the St. Louis Cardinals. For those who wish, memorials in her honor may be made to the Janesville Cemetery, or the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Foundation for the Regional Cancer Center, 1000 Health Center Drive, Mattoon, IL 61938, www.sarahbush.org. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in her honor or share a memory with her family.