Gail L. Hoyle

GRAND DETOUR – Gail L. Hoyle, 72, of Grand Detour, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, at her home. She worked for the Dixon Public School District for more than 20 years as a cook and lunchroom aide at Grand Detour, Washington, and Lincoln schools, before her retirement.

Gail was born June 25, 1942, in Milwaukee, the daughter of Robert L. and Louise A. (Schultz) Stray. She married the love of her life, William R. “Buck” Hoyle on Sept. 24, 1960, in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. They met while she was waitressing at a small resort in Fort Atkinson when he walked in after a day of fishing. They made their home in Grand Detour for 40 years before his passing Aug. 26, 2000. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Dixon, and served as a leader for the Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club for 10 years. Gail loved quilting, antiquing, spending time with her family, feeding any animal that came to her home, and traveling with her daughter and granddaughter. She also found great joy in driving her golf cart around Grand Detour to visit her friends and neighbors.

She is survived by one daughter, Connie (James) Ross of Grand Detour; one son, Craig (Carlie) Hoyle of Rockford; one brother, Robert (Judy) Stray of Fort Atkinson; one sister, Linda Lee of North Little Rock, Arkansas; and one granddaughter, Lindsay Krystyne Hoyle.

She also was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon Friday and the funeral at 12:30 p.m. Friday at Preston-Schilling Funeral Home in Dixon, with Robert Milano, deacon, officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded.

Memorials have been established to Happy Tails Animal Shelter in Rock Falls, Ogle County Hospice, and to the First Presbyterian Church Youth Group.

Visit prestonschillingfuneralhome.com to send condolences.