Obituary of Gary McAlvey

Gary D. McAlvey Pioneering criminologist Gary D. McAlvey, 70, of Wilmington, died Friday, March 25. Born on the Fourth of July, 1940, in Greenville, MI, to the late Donald and Marie McAlvey, Gary was "fearfully and wonderfully made" and excelled at both sports and academics. He married the love of his life, Anne, nee Crase, on New Year's Day, 1960. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year with a family party at their winter home in North Fort Myers, Florida. Gary was a driving force behind the Illinois Bureau of Identification, where he was Bureau Chief, and was instrumental in helping implement emerging technology in the field of forensics. He was a Chairman of SEARCH Group, Inc., a national non-profit organization devoted to facilitating the exchange of information among justice agencies. In addition to his wife, Anne, Gary is survived by daughters Kelly Ercoli (James) of Downers Grove, and Kimberlee Hood (David) of Fort Mill, SC, grandsons Justin and Jarrett Ercoli, and granddaughters Delia Ercoli and Tia Hood. He is also survived by brothers Rod, Dan (Michele), and Jeff (Carole), sister Jane (Don) Turney, brother-in-law Dave Butler (Bev), and many nieces and nephews; he is preceded in death by a sister, Cathy. An avid Spartan fan, Gary graduated from Michigan State University and for many years held season football tickets. Indulging his other passion, trains, led him to ride on everything from short-line freight cars and vintage steam engines to the luxury line The Royal Scotsman. In 2007 Gary fulfilled his quest to visit each of the 50 states. A Memorial Service will be held this summer; for details please send an email to garymcalveymemorial@gmail.com. Donations to honor Gary's memory may be made to The Honors College at Michigan State University, 300 Spartan Way, East Lansing, MI, 48824, or the Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL, 60431. Arrangements by: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 1201 West Route 6 at Deerpath Dr., Morris For information: (815) 942-5040