Gary L. Caldwell

Gary L. Caldwell 71, died Sunday, January 4, 2015 at Newton Medical Center. He was born July 22, 1943 in Newton, Kansas to Guy and Helen (Patterson) Caldwell. Gary was a 1961 graduate of Newton High School.   On October 3, 1969 he married Melva Adams in Newton, Kansas and she survives of the home.  Gary served his country in the United States Navy aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard during the Vietnam War. Gary was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Newton, Kansas and was a lifetime member of the VFW.  Faith, Family and Friends were always near to Gary. The support of his many friends and family were very important to Gary through years. He kept many friends close from his high school years and many Navy buddies kept also in contact.  The family would like to acknowledge the care they received through Gary’s illness from Dr. Robert Roeser and Dr. Hossein Amarani thier staff’s and the staff of Newton Medical Center ICU and Respiratory Therapy Depts.

Gary is survived by his wife Melva of Newton, Kansas; son Rodd and his wife Heather Caldwell of Normal, IL; daughter Alyson and her husband Shane Voran of Lehigh, KS; brother Darrell and his wife Marty Caldwell of Manchaca, Texas; sisters Lavonne Prior Neosho Rapids, Kansas and Darlene and her husband Peter Smokerowski of Shawnee, Kansas. He is also survived by 4 granddaughters: Skylar and Rylee Voran and Helen and Lily Caldwell

He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters Lois Buller and Evelyn Umholtz.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 8, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Newton, Kansas with The Reverend Dr. Doug Tofteland Presiding.  Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery Newton, Kansas.  Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday evening at Petersen Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Medical Ministries International through Dr. Robert Roeser’s Practice and Newton Medical Center ICU or Respiratory Therapy Departments in care of Petersen Funeral Home.