Rev. Gary Arthur Dworak

January 5, 1940 – March 11, 2025

The Reverend Gary Arthur Dworak, 85, passed away in his home on March 11, 2025, in Westfield.

Gary was born in Decatur, Ill., on January 5, 1940, to Oscar Dworak and Margaret (Warnick) Dworak. After graduating from MacArthur High School in Decatur, he attended the University of Illinois – Champaign and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in teaching social studies. He went on to complete a master’s degree in teaching social science at the University of Illinois. While a graduate student, he felt a call to enter the ministry and enrolled in Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Ill.

During his time as a seminarian, Gary served as a vicar at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in The Bronx, N.Y. There he met June Meybohm, whose family were members of the church. June and Gary were married on March 26, 1967. Later that year Gary graduated from the Seminary and was ordained as a Pastor of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod on August 20, 1967, at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in his hometown of Decatur, Ill.

Gary’s first call was to be an instructor of religion and history at St. John’s College in Winfield, Kan. Gary and June spent two years in Winfield, making good friends and discovering a love for Mexican food. Despite a love for teaching, Gary’s primary goal was to serve as a parish pastor. He accepted a call to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mount Olive, Ill., and began his life’s work as a preacher of the Gospel of Christ. Gary served in Mount Olive from 1969 to 1974 before the family moved to Indianapolis for him to become Pastor of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church. After taking time away from being a parish pastor to pursue studies at Christian Theological Seminary, Gary was called to serve at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Brownsburg, Ind., where he served until retirement in 2001. In his retirement, he enjoyed reading, watching classic movies, traveling with June, and playing with his grandchildren.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Linda Campbell. He is survived by June, his wife of 58 years; his children, Jonathan (Erica), Paul (Maricel), and Ruth Le Mounier (Jean-Christophe); his grandchildren, Charlotte, Constance, Isabella, Eleanor, Andrea, and Samuel; his brother, Roger (Karen); and his brother-in-law, Richard Campbell. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, colleagues, and friends.

Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 22 at Advent Lutheran Church in Zionsville, with a Funeral Service to follow at 11 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Concordia Theological Seminary – Fort Wayne (ctsfw.edu/support-ctsfw) or to the Advent Lutheran Church Expansion Campaign (adventlutheran.org/expansion).

Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.

Condolences: bussellfamilyfunerals.com