ROCHELLE — Gary Leininger, 78, of Rochelle, passed away on Friday, Dec. 3 at the O.S.F. St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. Gary was born Nov. 7, 1943 in Streator the son of Charles and Dorothy (Logsdon) Leininger. He married Dorothy Watson on May 12, 1962, in Rochelle.

Gary worked for 34 years at Caron International and another 14 years at Ideal Industries until he and his wife, Dorothy, decided to retire on the same day in 2009. Gary built and rode Harley Davidson motorcycles, a hobby he passed down to his son, Jeff. He enjoyed drag racing and body building but his real passion was power lifting. Gary spent 54 years of his life power lifting. He became a national power lifting champion in his age group in the mid 1980's and continued to lift until the age of 78.

Gary is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy, of Rochelle; two sons, Elvis (Becky) Leininger and Jeff (Tracey) Leininger, both of Rochelle; six grandchildren, Courtney (Jason) Svela, Adam Leininger, Tara Leininger, Tiffani (Josh) Medema, Mallory Leininger, and Ashlynn Leininger; six great-grandchildren, Payton Medema, Cayson Svela, Rylan Svela, Brayden Svela, Otto Medema, and Kinley Svela and several nieces and nephews.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Dorothy Leininger and four siblings, Shirley Field, Lowell Gray Jr., Dean Leininger and Bill Gray.

Cremation care has been provided by the Unger-Horner Funeral Home in Rochelle. No services will be held at this time. Contributions in Gary’s memory may be directed to the family for a memorial to be established. Please visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.