JoAnn Marie (Carrigan) Gray, age 83, of Carlyle, passed away on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Cedarhurst of Breese.
JoAnn was born in Breese, Illinois, on November 19, 1942, a daughter of the late Joseph J. and Laura A. (nee Isaak) Carrigan. She married Robert F. Gebke on July 26, 1962, and they later divorced. She married Charles R. “Dick” Gray on June 5, 1976, and he preceded her in death on August 14, 2009.
Mrs. Gray is survived by her beloved children, Lawrence J. “Larry” (Mary Jo) Gebke of Effingham, Illinois, Duane A. (Tami) Gebke of Dalton City, Illinois, and Cheryl A. (Richard) Gruner of Carlyle; her loving stepchildren, Debra A. (Gery) Long of Helenwood, Tennessee and Anthony W. (Lisa) Gray of Patoka, Illinois; and her stepdaughter-in-law, Lori Gray. JoAnn will be fondly remembered by her beloved grandchildren, Joseph A. (Maryl) Gebke, Holly P. Gebke, Connor R. Gebke (fiancé Sapphire), Kyle A. Gebke, Heather J. Gebke (special friend James), Joshua I. Gebke, Hannah M. Gebke, Nicholas W. (Louisa) Campbell, and Lauren M. Campbell (special friend Gage); her great grandchildren, Conan and Alexander Gebke, and Mia Campbell; her loving step-grandchildren, Amanda (Danny) Cade, Jeremy Long, Monica (Jorne) Hughett, Trisha Gray, Zachary Gray, Zeke Gray, Jonie Gray, Sara Boulyard, and several step-great grandchildren. JoAnn is also survived by her cherished sister and brother-in-law, Geri and Richard Wellinghoff of Carlyle; and her beloved in-laws, Mary and Lee Roy Barth of Keyesport, Illinois, Jeanette Gray of Wisetown, Illinois, Vickie Gray of Greenville, Illinois, and Sue Hammond of Altamont, Illinois.
In addition to her parents and her husband, JoAnn was welcomed into heaven by her grandson, Christian Gebke; a stepson, Timothy Z. Gray; a step-grandson, Timothy W. Gray; and her in-laws, Octa Haas, Lisle Haas, John Gray, Ray Gray, and Eldon Hammond.
JoAnn was a woman of many talents and interests. She was an avid seamstress since childhood, and a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Church. Music was a lifelong passion, and she proudly played steel guitar with “The Carrigan Family” band for more than 40 years. A gifted musician and teacher, she was a certified Oahu Steel Guitar instructor for over 20 years and found great joy in sharing her love of music with others. She was also a past member of AF of M Musicians’ Local 175 in Highland.
JoAnn owned and operated Gray’s Boat and Camper Storage in Carlyle from 1978 until 2019. She retired in 2005 after dedicating 22 years as a medical assistant for three local physicians, and in earlier years worked as a secretary for several insurance and real estate offices.
JoAnn had a deep appreciation for family history and genealogy, dedicating countless hours to researching her ancestry and preserving her family’s legacy through the writing of a family history book. She enjoyed listening to all types of music, and she always looked forward to spending time with her children and grandchildren.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at St. Mary’s Church in Carlyle. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Zieren Funeral Home (1111 Clinton St., Carlyle) on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, from 4:00 – 8:00 PM, and on Wednesday morning from 9:00 – 10:30 AM.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mrs. Gray are suggested to St. Mary’s Church or to HSHS Home Care and Hospice. Donations and condolence cards will be received through Zieren Funeral Home. Online condolences can be shared by visiting www.ZierenFuneralHome.com.
