Gayle Joyce (VanRamshorst) Stees, 87, of Wolcottville, Indiana, born November 27, 1936, passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Parkview LaGrange Hospital surrounded by her family.

Gayle was a graduate of Bloom Township High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois. She received her BA from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois.

She was an educator and enjoyed spending her time in the classroom teaching young minds.

Gayle is survived by her husband, Gary M. Stees. They were married on July 4, 1958, in Chicago Heights, Illinois.

Also surviving are her four children, Michael (Lisa) Stees of Sedalia, Missouri, Alicia (Daryl) Collins of Elkhart, Vance (Alesia) Stees of Goshen, and Julianna (Oscar) Bowers of LaGrange; eight grandchildren, Adrienne (Eric) Byers, Andrea Collins, Ashley (Dustin) Bergman, Austin Stees, Mercedi Bowers, Melissa Stees, Matthew Stees, and Kyler Bowers; four great-grandchildren, Logan Byers, Lucas Byers, Parker Bergman, and Madeleine Lucille Bergman; and two sisters-in-law, JoAn VanRamshorst and Sharon VanRamshorst.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Alice "Tiny" (Smith) VanRamshorst; and two brothers, Leonard VanRamshorst and Lee VanRamshorst.

Funeral services will be Monday, April 1, 2024, at 12 Noon at Wayne Center United Methodist Church, 1015 East Schoolhouse Road, Kendallville, with Pastor Kenneth Walker officiating.

Visitation will also be on Monday, beginning at 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service.

Burial will be at Brighton Cemetery in Brighton.

Pallbearers will be Vance Stees, Oscar Bowers, Daryl Collins, Kyler Bowers, Billy Bowers, Jason Reistrom, and Austin Stees.

Preferred memorials are to Wayne Center United Methodist Church.

Young Family Funeral Home, Wolcottville Chapel, State Road 9 North, Wolcottville is assisting the family with arrangements.

View a video tribute after Monday or share memories and condolences at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com