Gary D. Chism, 72, of Grand Island, Nebraska passed away October 18, 2023 at CHI Health St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island.

Livingston – Sondermann Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

Visitation with sharing of memories and stories will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at Livingston – Sondermann Funeral Home Chapel.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, October 26, 2023 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Island. The funeral service will be livestreamed through Trinity United Methodist Grand Island Facebook page. Pastor Kelly Karges will officiate the service. In lieu of a formal eulogy, the family wishes to invite anyone who would like to share a memory or story about Gary at the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date.

Burial will be held in the Grand Island City Cemetery.

Gary was born June 27, 1951 to William and Irene (Whitten) Chism in Hastings, Nebraska. He grew up in Grand Island and attended Grand Island Senior High and graduated in the class of 1969. He attended Kearney State College.

He was married to Debra Smith and to this union Sean Patrick was born. Gary was later married to Diana Lee in Vermillion, South Dakota.

He worked for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad for 34 years and retired in August of 2011.

Gary enjoyed many hobbies including fishing, the outdoors and time spent at Johnson Lake, traveling and taking many pictures of himself standing next to the state signs from his many road trip vacations with his family. He loved to ski, horse racing and attending baseball games and enjoyed time with son's dog, Daisy. He loved drinking beer and hanging out with his many friends.

He is survived by his son, Sean Chism of Grand Island, a sister & brother-in-law, Shirley & Michael Suder of East Norriton, PA; stepchildren, Paul Lee of Grand Island, Rob Lee of Marquette, and Lisa Reardon of Fort Worth, Texas; a niece, Kelly Harnick of Lahaina, HI; a nephew, Michael C. Suder of East Norriton, PA; and numerous cousins, family and friends.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Diana Lee Chism, and a stepsister Cindy Schlueter.

Condolences and memories for the family may be shared at www.livson.com.