Gary L. Cantrell, 72, of Troy, Illinois passed away Monday, March 11, 2024 in St. Luke Hospital in St. Louis, MO.Gary came into life on January 22, 1952 in Centralia. He was the son of Neil Cantrell and Jacqueline (Biagi) Cantrell. He married Dolores Dochwat on May 28, 1984 and she survives him in Troy.In addition to his wife of 39 years Dolores Cantrell, Gary leaves behind his mother: Jacqueline Cantrell; three daughters: Kate Erin Sobieralski and husband Brett of Edwardsville, Tracy Leigh Cantrell of Troy, and Brandie Marie Cantrell of Troy; three grandchildren: Zane, Chase, and Reed Sobieralski; one brother: Bradley Cantrell of Madison, WI; one sister: Patricia Wheeler and husband Rick of Hardin, MO; and many nieces and nephews.Preceding him in death were his father: Neil Cantrell and his daughter: Kelly Aileen Cantrell.Gary graduated from Kaskaskia Junior College and went on to receive a dual Bachelors Degree in Chemistry and Mathematics from SIUC in 1975. He continued his education and received a Masters Degree for Organic Chemistry from SIUE in 1979, and in 1985 was awarded his PhD in Organic Chemistry from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Following graduation, he went to work for Mallinkrodt as a research chemist from 1984 to 2020. In 2007, he received an award for Inventor of the Year from the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. He received the Illinois Community College Trustees Association 2008 Distinguished Alumnus Award. He had his name on over 100 patents. Gary was a member of the American Chemical Society for 42 years and a member of Planetary Society for 35 years. For leisure, he was an avid reader and enjoyed going on walks with his wife. He enjoyed spending time with his family especially his children and grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by those that knew him.A Visitation will be held at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Friday, March 15, 2024. A Service will take place at 12:00 PM at the Funeral Home, with Burial to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia, Illinois. Any monetary donations made in memory of Gary can be made to any charity of the donors choice and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Cantrell Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland Funeral Homes Facebook page.
