Gayle L. Leslie

Gayle L. Leslie, of East Moline, passed away Sunday, March 26, 2023, in Arizona after a brief illness.

Graveside services will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at Moline Memorial Park Mausoleum. A luncheon and time for sharing will be held at Christ United Methodist Church, East Moline, immediately following the services. Memorials can be made to Christ United Methodist Church in East Moline. Per her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded.

Born Gayle Lorraine Hamerlinck, she was the daughter of Emil and Audrey Montgomery Hamerlinck. Gayle attended East Moline schools and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Marycrest University, Davenport, Iowa.

She married the love of her life, Craig D. Leslie, in 1983. They belong to Christ United Methodist Church in East Moline, Illinois and affiliated with Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church in Sun City West, Arizona; and Oakwood Country Club.

They loved to golf, travel and hike. It didn’t matter what they did as long as they were together.

Gayle retired from John Deere Foundry. The people she worked with were a great part of her life.

She was a Toastmaster and took several honors in area competitions. She wrote for Drum Corps World and edited several area newsletters. She wrote technical articles which were published in England, Japan and Brazil as well as the United States.

She was an avid golfer in her retirement and had 3 holes-in-one. She was never long, but was straight. More important were the wonderful friends she made. She also loved her book club; eight great ladies that supported each other and challenged each other with the books they read.

She was always striving to do something special in her life: so at the age of 72 and with the guidance of Rev. Dr. Roger Perry, Craig and Gayle researched and designed a mural: the tomb of Jesus. Then with the help of local mural artist, Sarah Robb, the mural was completed. The mural can be seen in the garden at Christ United Methodist Church in East Moline.

She felt she had the best daughters-in law anyone could ask for and she adored her grandchildren and grandpets as they offered hours of love and laughter.

Survivors include her husband, Craig; her son, Tom Huntley (Teresa), Tomball, Texas; three stepsons, Mark Leslie (Traci), Hartland, Wisconsin, Lance Leslie (Jenny), Bettendorf, Iowa and Brett Leslie (Heather), Keller, Texas. Nine grandchildren; two great granddaughters and 25 grandpets; a brother, John Hamerlinck (Patricia), Pinellas Park, Florida; brother-in-law, Rodney Gustafson (Mary), Phoenix, Arizona; nieces, nephews, and a special friend, Sheri Leisure, Ankeny, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her father; mother; sister, Marjorie Gustafson and son, Kevin Huntley.

Memories may be shared on the tribute wall.