Gary L. Grepke, 62, of Columbia City, passed away at 11:15 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, at his residence after a yearlong battle with cancer.

Born July 31, 1953, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Richard Grepke and Juanita (Landrum) Grepke. Gary was a graduate from Carroll High School, with the Class of 1971. On Nov. 4, 1978, he married Kathy L. Garrard. Gary was first employed as a supervisor for United Tech, then Pent Plastic, Avilla, then for Omni Source. Gary was an avid coin collector and turned his hobby into owning and operating Dollars and Cents Coin Shop, Columbia City, for the past 11 years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years: Kathy L. Grepke, Columbia City; aunt, Evelyn Neuhauser, Fort Wayne; and nephew: Richard Garrard, Liberty, Mo.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services for Gary will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, at DeMoney-Grimes, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Fort Wayne.

Memorial contributions in memory of Gary may be made to Whitley County Humane Society.