Gary L. Hall

Gary L. Hall, 69 of Peru passed away at 5:35 a.m., Monday, July 25, 2022, at Dukes Memorial Hospital following a difficult battle with cancer.

Born on September 3, 1952, in Peru, he was the son of the late Cortlen and Carol (Goshert) Hall.

He graduated with the Class of 1970 from Peru High School.

Gary married the love of his life, Betty J. Hall, on December 10, 1994, at St. Charles Catholic Borromeo Church in Peru, IN, and she survives.

Gary and his wife formerly owned and operated Hall Excavating and B & G Hall Enterprises.  He started working with his dad at a young age and could operate a bulldozer by the age of 8.  He was a trusted and very skilled heavy equipment operator.  He did excavation work in Peru and surrounding central Indiana counties.  He would frequently reminisce about his excavation adventures along Indiana back roads, families’ homes, or area businesses.  He enjoyed attending heavy equipment auctions and looking for the next big deal on equipment.  

To know Gary was to know his love of watersports and summers spent at Lake Manitou.  After learning how to waterski at the age of 3, he was an active member of the waterski club at Lake Manitou.  He was a very gifted slalom, barefoot, and trick skier, and his family loved seeing him cut across the boat wake.  Not just talented behind the boat, Gary also enjoyed teaching family and friends how to waterski and drive the speed boat, jet ski and pontoon. 

Survivors include his daughter, Christina (Kris) Knotts of Lebanon; sisters-in-law, Tonya (Carl) Philpot, Carla (Doug) Young , and Cheryl (Ray) Molder; niece, Sue Ellen (Steven) Sopher; nephews, Rodney (Kayla Coyle) McElfresh, Robert (Jessica) McElfresh, Randall (Emily) McElfresh, Bradley (Savannah Herbert) Molder, Austin (Bri Craig) Molder, and Nykolas (Ashlyn Roof) Molder; great-nephews Christian, Kain, Lachlan, and Declan and great-nieces Ari and Alethea. Gary also counted his beloved Cocker Spaniels as family members.

Besides his parents, he was also preceded in death by brother-in-law, Jason Hawkins; nephew, Carl James “C.J.” Philpot; father-in-law, Elijah “Barney” Hawkins; and mother-in-law, Betty S. Hawkins.

Services will be at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Riverview Funeral Home, 421 W. Canal St., Peru.  Diana Garner will be officiating.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service on Thursday.

Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Gary’s online guestbook is available, and condolences can be shared with the family at www.riverviewfhperu.com.

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