Gary Allen Highland

CARBONDALE - Gary Allen Highland, 77, of Carbondale passed away on Wednesday April 7, 2021 at the SIH Memorial Hospital at Carbondale.



Gary was born March 21, 1944 in Carbondale, Illinois to Lewis R. and Dorothy L. (Petty) Highland. He married Meribeth Lerner in Carbondale, Illinois on June 22, 1968.



Gary is survived by his wife Meribeth (Betsy) and three sons, John Highland, Charles (Chuck) Highland, Robert (Bobby) Highland all of Carbondale, and a sister-in-law Cindy Heckscher of Philadelphia, PA.



Gary was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and SIU Salukis. He was a proud supporter of the Carbondale Terrier athletics serving on the "chain gang" for many years. Gary had been a member and Exalted Ruler of the Carbondale Elks, and previously served as President of the Carbondale Elementary School Board. He was employed as the Leasing Manager of Econolease for 34 years and later worked at John A. Logan College. Gary was devoted to his family and their many pets throughout the years.



He was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws Charles and Janice Ruth Lerner.



Gary & Meribeth “Betsy” Highland memorial service will be held at 11:30 am on Monday, June 13th, at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park in Murphysboro. A visitation will take place at the graveside from 11:00 am until the service.



Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Southern Illinois.



Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale assisted the family with arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Gary visit, www.meredithfh.com.