Gary entered into eternal peace surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday morning, February 16, 2022 at his home in Imogene.  Memorials may be directed to St. Patrick Catholic Church Building Fund, Mt. Calvary Cemetery or Shenandoah Ambulance Service.

The Quiet Man - Gary Campin, son of Jim and Ruth (Solon) Campin, might have come into the world screaming on June 18, 1941, but by the time of his death eighty years later, he had become known as a man of few words. Maybe because there was always enough noise in his house that he didn't figure he needed to add to it.

At the time of his birth at Hand Hospital in Shenandoah, IA, Gary's parents lived on a farm southwest of Imogene, IA, in an area known as Farmer City where he attended Honey Creek Country School. Shortly thereafter, his dad sold the farm and purchased a farm southeast of Shenandoah near Bingham. He attended grade school in Coin, Iowa for a few years before relocating in Shenandoah and spent most of his childhood riding his bike around town from sun up to sundown.

In 1954, the Campin family moved to Loveland, Colorado where his dad sold real estate. However, Jim still owned a farm in Fremont Co. In 1956 when a farm came up for sale next to his property, Jim left Colorado with Ruth's warning, "You better not buy a farm because I'm not moving back!"  When Jim returned, they packed their bags and moved back to Iowa where Gary attended Shenandoah High School, graduating with the class of 1959. It was during his high school years he met and fell in love with Maureen O'Connor. In February of his senior year, Gary joined the Army Reserves and left for active duty in June after graduation and returned in December right before Christmas.

Upon his return, he bought a ring and proposed to Maureen. Gary joined the Catholic Church and they were married on June 4 ^th , 1960 at St. Patrick's in Imogene. They moved into a big farm house just a mile south of Imogene when Gary told Maureen he was never moving again. He had already moved 14 times and he was only 19! And…he didn't!

When they were married, Gary started farming with his dad. He also worked for Dr. Williamson DVM, hauled livestock to the stockyards in Omaha for other farmers, started a feed grinding business, worked at the Shenandoah Livestock Auction on Mondays, and had a custom combine business with Joe Hughes. Quote from Tony Head, "Gary Campin is the hardest working man I've ever met." By the mid 70's, Gary was raising corn, beans, hay, hogs, cattle, and seven children. He wasn't only the hardest working man, but a devoted and loving family man.

Then the 80's hit and he decided to rent out his farm ground and started working for Eaton Corporation in Shenandoah. After retirement, he enjoyed his part-time jobs delivering for Jay Drug and Shenandoah Floral.

Gary was an active member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Sons and Daughters of Imogene. He also sat on the board as a Monroe Township Trustee and was the Sexton for Mt. Calvary Cemetery and the Monroe Cemetery for several years. Gary was a strong advocate for the American Red Cross Blood Drive. Over the years, Gary donated 85 times for a total of 21¼ gallons of blood to help others in need.

He spent his leisure time mowing his lawn, maintaining the trees, shrubs and flowers that flourished in their beautiful yard, tending his bluebird boxes, bird feeders, and mixing nectar for the hummingbirds. Above all, he enjoyed the love that surrounded him every time a son, daughter, grandchild, and great-grandchild would visit. You can bet he always had a Little Debbie, pudding cup, or a packed candy drawer waiting for them.

Gary challenged Parkinson's Disease and several medical emergencies in his life, the most recent being cancer. He fearlessly faced chemo and scans showed the cancer was gone, but the effects from Parkinson's grew worse and left him tired and weak.  He died peacefully at his farm home on February 16 ^th surrounded by Maureen and his kids sending him off with love.

Preceding Gary in death were his parents, 4-year-old sister, Peggy Jo; in-laws, Frank and Monica O'Connor, Tommy and Kay (Rima) O'Connor, Greg O'Connor, Sister Vera (Sally) O'Connor, Peggy (O'Connor) Steiner, her husband, Don, brother-in-law Joe McGinn,  along with sons-in-law, Jim Seitz, and Chad Van Houten.

Left to miss his faithful presence are his wife of 61 years, Maureen (O'Connor), children, Donna Seitz, Omaha, NE; Tom (Traci Johnson) Campin, Shenandoah, IA; Jim Campin, Council Bluffs, IA; Joe (Aimee Sturm) Campin, Overland Park, KS; Annie (Adam) Burnison, Essex, IA; Casey (Tracy McQueen) Campin, Omaha, NE; and, John (Niki Glup) Campin, Plattsmouth, NE; Elizabeth Vargas, Houston, TX; 21 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.

Other survivors include his siblings, Ronnie (Linda) Campin, Tucson, AZ; Connie Hummel Omaha, NE; Mary Beth (Lee) Bledsoe San Benito, TX; in-laws, Mary Lou McGinn, Co. Bluffs, IA; Tim O'Connor, Glenwood, IA; Marlene O'Connor, Omaha, NE; Veronica (Neil) Keasling, Imogene, IA; and, many nieces and nephews.

As Gary would say……

*** GLORY HALLELUJAH ***