Gary Eugene Shull, age 76 passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 after a long battle with dementia. He lived most of his life in Dover, Ohio before retiring in Chesapeake, Virginia. He was born in Dover on February 18, 1947. He was the son of the late Max and Ruth (Coventry) Shull. Gary was a 1966 graduate of New Philadelphia High School. He honorably served our country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After his service in the military, Gary pursued his career as a machinist, which led to his employment of 28 years at the Gradall Company. 

Gary was always out for an adventure and loved going to all of the festivals and fairs in the area. Heading to the Tuscarawas County Fair in September of 1979 proved to be one of the best decisions he ever made. There, he met Sue Ann Williams and quickly fell head over heels in love with her. The pair married on May 31, 1980 and ended up celebrating over 42 years of marriage together. The adventure continued when their daughter, Jenica Marie was born in August of 1984. 

Gary was a man of great faith and a social butterfly. If you started out as a stranger, you quickly left as a friend. Anyone who came to our home was offered “Nutty Bars” and it became his trademark. To know him, was to love him. Gary had a love of muscle cars and enjoyed going to car shows for hours on end! He was extremely proud of owning and tinkering with over 75 cars in his life. His pride and joy was a 1984 Mercury Capri which has been passed down to his daughter. He had an amazing talent for art and enjoyed painting and drawing all kinds of pieces throughout the years. He also loved going to theme parks with his family, especially Cedar Point,where so many amazing memories were made. He was an amazing dancer and had a passion for rock and roll!

He is no longer entrapped by his dementia. He is free now to do all of the things he loved in this crazy life. We are sure he had an entire crew of animals waiting for him over the Rainbow Bridge, including his beloved pitbull, Diamond and his pugs, Elvis, Jasmine, and Sparkle. He doted over them, always telling them how beautiful and special they all were. We are sure he has a very special place in heaven taking care of everyone and handing out Nutty Bars to all!

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Sue Ann along with his daughter, Jenica and her husband, T.J. Smith and his 2 grandsons, Tucker and Sawyer, all of Chesapeake, Virginia. They were his entire world and he loved them more than anything. He also leaves behind a daughter, Wendy Shull from a previous marriage and granddaughters Reina and Kambia. Other surviving family members include siblings, Donna (Dave) Warner, Betty (Ralph) Price, and Bernie Shull all of New Philadelphia, Ohio. Sister in law Judy (Dan) Oswald of Dover, Ohio as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother, Glenn Shull, sister in law, Jeannie Williams, and mother in law, Marie Williams.

The family would like to give a special thanks to their neighbors, Joel and Debbie and niece, Sherry Miller, who continually checked on him and always offered encouraging words and prayers. They would also like to recognize Amedisys Hospice of Chesapeake, Virginia for their outstanding care and compassion to him and his family in his final days. In keeping with Gary’s final wishes, he was entrusted to the Cremation Society of Virginia. There will be a memorial service in Ohio at a later date.