Gary Dale Koelliker, 86, surrounded by family passed from this life into eternal life on April 29, 2025 at Maple Heights nursing home in Hiawatha where he had been a resident for 11 months. He was 86
Gary was born April 13, 1940, at Highland, one of 4 children born to Wesley John Koelliker and Nellie Fern Beaman Koelliker and has lived in the northeast Kansas area nearly all of his life. He grew up in the Highland area where he attended school, graduating with the class of 1957. When he was first married he drove a truck for Sutherland lumber company in St Joe.
He was the custodian/maintenance/bus driver starting at the Highland elementary school in 1964, after several years moved to the High School until 1986. He never missed a game, track meet or band event of his children. He even drove the bus to most events and on many senior trips. Being a bus driver was his calling. He had many stories of taking crying children out of crying mothers’ arms and putting them on the bus, ways he handled discipline on his bus, some of which would not be tolerated in today’s world. He hauled many kids from kindergarten through high school and developed close relationships and shared special memories with them. After leaving the school system he worked maintenance at the Courthouse in Troy for many years. His office, in the boiler room, was the place people went for coffee and therapy. Gary and Phyllis along with Angie and David owned and operated a small restaurant/pizza place in Highland called KC Carry Out.
Gary had a rough exterior sometimes but he had a big heart and a passion for helping people. He could be harsh with you while making you feel cared about and supported at the same time. He had a “gift” that drew people to him and he could always say the thing you needed to hear and gave advice you needed but didn’t want to hear. Part of his job at the courthouse was to work the people that were in the jail sometimes as part of their sentence for community service. He was hard on them but they respected him. He bought one young man a bus ticket and gave him money so he could get back to his family. Gary’s family was the most important thing in his life. He was so proud of his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed watching his kids, grandkids and even great grandkids sports events. He loved hunting, fishing and going to the river to shoot his pistol and to just think. Gary was a good carpenter and had amazing wood working skills. He made many pieces of furniture and toys for family. He made captain’s beds, cribs, rocking chairs. He and grandson Michael spent one winter making a table sized log cabin and all the accessories for the inside. He loved buying and playing with anything remote control.
Gary married Phyllis Hopkins on December 9, 1957 at the Fanning Church. They made their home in Highland until 2021 when they moved to Hiawatha. An interesting note is they worked for a time for Ewing and Muriel Kaufman in Kansas City: He worked maintenance and she cooked.
Survivors include his son Gregg of Chaffee, Mo, daughters Angie Cluck oh Highland and Julie Bachman (Jim) of Hiawatha. His very special friend Ginger Scott, Grandchildren Tyler Koelliker (Lora), Morgen Irvin (T.J.), Amelia Atkinson ( Steven), Nick Cluck (Mandy Miller), Matt Cluck (Jennifer), Miranda Jensen (A.J.), Molly Wollenberg (Tim Enneking), Meghan McClintock (Tyrel), Michael Hurd (Michelle), Gary Koelliker (Taylor), Adam Wilmes. Gary was blessed to have 22 great-grandchildren and 1 on the way.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, wife Phyllis, in-laws Dan and Helen Hopkins, a daughter Penny, son Randy, sisters Pat and Connie, brother Gene and his wife Pat, son-in-law David Cluck, grandson Jordan Cluck, granddaughter Riley Koelliker.
A Celebration of Gary’s Eternal Life is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Community of Christ in Fanning, with Mark Twombly and Lil Twombly officiating. Cremation will follow the service with private inurnment at the Highland Cemetery.
Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Highland after 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday. The family will meet friends at Community of Christ Friday from 6-8 p.m.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Community of Christ or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital which may be sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 33, Highland 66035.
