Gary Lee Schertz, Sr.

Christmas

Gary Lee Schertz, Sr. age 72, of Christmas, died Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at his home under the loving care of his family and North Woods Home Hospice. Gary’s courageous battle with cancer started over four years ago with a rare ocular melanoma and progressed to four different types of cancer. He was born on January 20, 1953 in Neenah, Wisconsin to the late Raymond and Angeline (Klapp) Schertz. Gary grew up in Wisconsin before moving to Munising in 8th grade where he attended Sacred Heart School. When work brought his dad back to Wisconsin, Gary moved in with his friend Jim Grey to finish his junior and senior year. He graduated from Wm. G. Mather High School in 1971. Gary’s sophomore year, he went to the Sadie Hawkins Dance with Susan Cox, and the rest was history. They were married on December 11, 1971 and together they raised their three children. Gary worked at the Red Owl in the produce department before getting hired at Kimberly Clark in 1973. He worked as a beater engineer for the majority of his career at the mill and then transferred to the yard for his final years before retiring in 2005. Gary love hunting and being at Camp No Pay where he was known as “Gargo” or “Big Gar”. He had been a member of the camp since 1978, and loved the comradery of the camp and the many stories he shared with B3, Billy, Dale, Sonny, Larry, Tim, Gary Lee, Toast, Ball, Jimmy II, Doogie, and Kiel. The only thing he loved more than camp was being with his family. Gary and Sue enjoyed wintering in Gulf Shores, Alabama for over 16 years. Although some people thought he had a dry sense of humor, his family thought he was hilarious.

Gary is survived by his wife of 54 years - Sue Schertz of Christmas; children – Gary Lee (Alyssa) Schertz, Jr. of Richmond, VA, Jennifer (Beau) VanLandschoot of Harvey, and Kristine (Brock) Anderson of Munising; grandchildren – Abigail, Garrett (Mary), Anna, Alexandra, Logan (Billy), Lexi (Hunter), Jazel (DeDe), Mia, and Sage; great-granddaughters – Ruby June and Rowyn Jo Leah; brother – Randy Schertz; uncle – Bino (Kathy) Schert; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law – Becky and Jim Scheirschmidt and Jim and Jean Cox II; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents – Ray and Angie; twin grandsons – Devon and James; and sister – Deborah (Cal) Culbertson.

A private family service will be held at a later date.