Gary Edwin Horvath

October 30, 1940- June 25, 2026

Gary Edwin Horvath passed away peacefully on June 25, 2026, at the age of 85. He was surrounded by the people dearest to his heart as he was guided through the gates to eternal peace.

Gary was born on October 30, 1940. He was one of five children born to Anthony and Eudora Horvath. Gary graduated from Ida High School, where he met his future wife and high school sweetheart, Sally Ann Hohman. They were married in an intimate ceremony in their hometown of Ida, Michigan, on November 11, 1961. Gary and Sally were blessed with three children and shared nearly 65 adventurous years of marriage together.

In his early years, Gary worked for his father at Horvath Construction Company. A free spirit at heart, he eventually ventured out on his own to become an independent truck driver. Gary traveled all over the country and could still recall his routes from memory years later while sharing stories with friends and family. In those early days, Sally often joined him on the road, where the young couple spent some of their first years of marriage together. They returned home a little more in love and with countless memories to cherish. Gary took great pride in his truck and the miles he logged, spending more than 50 years behind the wheel.

A devoted and accomplished marksman, Gary collected countless firearms, ranging from pistols to shotguns of nearly every variety. He was a proud member of the North-South Skirmish Association (N-SSA), an organization dedicated to competitive shooting with Civil War-era firearms and artillery while preserving the battlefields, artifacts, and uniforms of that period. His love of firearms and history went hand in hand, and he always enjoyed outshooting the competition. If you were looking for Gary, he was probably scheming to add another firearm to his collection while trying to hide it from Sally.

A man of many talents, Gary loved the outdoors and looked forward to packing up his trailer and gathering family and friends for a week in the wilderness of Northern Michigan. Hunting, fishing, and sharing one of his many stories around a campfire were among his greatest joys. Even years later, Gary would fondly recall those treasured times in the woods with the people he loved most. A traveler at heart, he and Sally also spent countless hours exploring together on

camping adventures. They visited many popular destinations and cherished the time they spent with family and friends who joined them along the way. Gary took great pride in his fifth-wheel camper and could often be found strolling through campgrounds, admiring fellow campers' setups.

Gary would give anyone the shirt off his back and was always the first to offer a helping hand. After completing a task for a friend, his signature line was, "You owe me $42.50!" He was known as strong, dependable, charismatic, and wonderfully headstrong. He was the epitome of an independent, loving, and hardworking man. His smile could brighten even the darkest night, and it is one his family will miss dearly. Of all the titles he held throughout his life, "Pa" was the one he cherished most.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Sally Horvath; his brother, Richard Horvath; his sister-in-law, Margaret Vandercook; his brother-in-law, Richard Hohman; and his two granddaughters, Paige Horvath and Olivia Dowler.

He is survived by his three children, Valerie (Stephen Dowler) Horvath, Lori (Jeff) Higgerson, and Anthony (Chris) Horvath; his three siblings, Don (Bev) Horvath, Toni-Sue (Mick) Addy, and Martin Horvath; his brother-in-law, Jack (Sarah) Hohman; his seven grandchildren, Tyler (Mandy) Stein, Neil (Sarah) Stein, Josh Horvath, Zach (Katie) Horvath, Sarah (Kyle) Halladay, Grant Dowler, and Erica Dowler; six great-grandchildren, with one more on the way; and many cherished family friends.

Close friends and family will gather privately to celebrate the life of the patriarch who led his family with wisdom, strength, and an unwavering love. Though his presence will be deeply missed, the legacy he created will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.