Gay Lee Elks

Gay Lee Elks, 86, of Ipava, formerly of San Jose, passed away at the Clayberg Nursing Home in Cuba, Illinois on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. She was born on June 10, 1938 in Peoria, Illinois to Martin and Opal (Miller) Bartman. She married Joe Elks on July 31, 1961 in San Jose and he survives.

Also surviving are her children, Joe E. (Ken Reid) Elks, Jr. of Sydney, Australia and Rene (Julio Cedillo) Elks-Cedillo of Ipava, Illinois; grandchildren, Rodrick (Cara) Janz, Marissa Janz, Caleb (Therese) Goding, and Noel Goding; great-granddaughter, Rio Janz-Acevedo; son-in-law, Andrew Janz; sister, Charlotte (Don) Brewer of Kansas; and many surrogate children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Kalyn Janz.
Gay Lee was a member of San Jose United Methodist Church. She attended Illinois State University and Chicago State University and Northern Illinois University. Most of her teaching career was dedicated to Special Education and teaching severely and profoundly emotionally disturbed children. She was passionate about the health and education of children. She was a lay minister for the United Methodist Church. She enjoyed singing, playing the piano, hand bells and trumpet, using her loom, crafts, and making music boxes.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at San Jose United Methodist Church, with a visitation from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Pastor Dawn Bevan will officiate. Burial will follow the service at Green Hill Cemetery in San Jose.
Memorial donations may be made in Gay Lee’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association or Friends of the Children of Haiti. Online condolences can be left for her family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Hurley Funeral Home in Mason City is in charge of arrangements.