I’m sorry to inform you that Gary Odway, a valued member of our Illinois Program, passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully on December 22, with his older brother and sister at his side.

Gary became part of our St. Coletta family on June 13, 1976, and transitioned to our Illinois Program in 2003.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Friedrich’s Funeral Home, Mount Prospect, IL.

Internment at All Saints Catholic Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL will be private.

We kindly ask for your thoughts and prayers for his eternal rest.

Gary D. Odway, 56, of Roselle, passed away suddenly but peacefully on December 22, 2024 with his older brother and sister at his side. Loving brother to Gregg Odway and Karyn Odway and cherished son, cousin and friend to many. Preceded in death by his parents Martin Odway and Mary Odway (nee Wendryhoski).

Gary was born in Evanston, IL and raised in nearby Des Plaines. Early on, Gary attended Kirk School in Palatine and then at age 7 became part of the St Coletta of Wisconsin community in Jefferson, WI. He graduated from St Coletta School in 1987 with high marks. Gary participated as a young adult in Special Olympics and won medals in swimming, cross-country skiing, and bowling. He lived on campus at St Coletta and in community homes and apartments in southern Wisconsin. Gary landed his first community-based job at The Fireside Dinner Theatre in Ft. Atkinson, WI (1998-2003).

St Coletta of Wisconsin expanded their residential services to northern Illinois and Gary moved back with them into a Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) home in 2003. Gary was determined to work in the community and eventually secured jobs at Culver’s Restaurant in Addison (2005) and at the first Mariano’s to open in the Chicago area in Arlington Heights (2010-2015). Mariano’s named Gary Employee of the Month several times. He later continued to work at the Clearbrook Community Day Services Program. Gary made friends with everyone including his staff and caregivers at St Coletta of Wisconsin, the Adult Down Syndrome Center in Park Ridge and the Caring Friends Ministry at Meadows Christian Fellowship in Rolling Meadows.

He was a huge sports fan cheering on the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks and Brewers, and the Wisconsin Badgers when he lived in Wisconsin. He attended many of the games, even having an encounter with Michael Jordan on the court following a Bucks/Bulls game in the 1990s. When Gary returned to Illinois, he met Michael Phelps at the Special Olympics’ 50th Anniversary Celebration at Soldier Field. In 2019, Gary walked the Chicago White Sox field during the team’s 1st Annual Developmental Disabilities Awareness Night and stepped onto Wrigley Field during the Advocate Health Care Adult Down Syndrome Center Day. He was deemed a Chicago Bears superfan during the NFL’s 100th Season kickoff game at Soldier Field. Before the game, Gary was part of group waving the team flag and singing “Bear Down Chicago Bears” with the crowd.

Gary was always looking ahead to the future and planning his next big adventure with his family. He traveled widely and often. Disney World and Las Vegas were his favorite destinations.

Gary was a man of deep faith who always wanted to know more about God and to understand the power of prayer. Gary was raised Roman Catholic and attended church as much as possible. Ultimately, Gary will be remembered for his outgoing and generous spirit, sense of humor, wide smile and warm-hearted disposition.

Visitation Saturday, January 4, 2025, 10:00 a.m., immediately followed by funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Friedrich’s Funeral Home, Mount Prospect, IL (847) 255-7800. Internment at All Saints Catholic Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a generous donation in Gary’s memory to St Coletta of Wisconsin, N4637 County Road Y, Jefferson, WI 53549, www.stcolettawi.org/donate.

For more information, contact Friedrich’s Funeral Home, Mount Prospect, IL (847) 255-7800 or visit www.friedrichsfh.com.