Service: 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, Dudgeon-McCulley Funeral Home, Wapello. Visitation: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, Dudgeon-McCulley Funeral Home, family will meet friends 4-7 p.m. Burial: Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington.

WAPELLO, Iowa — Gary Robert Pickering, 65, rural Wapello, died Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, at his home. 

The Rev. Dan Doolin will officiate the service.  

A memorial fund has been established.

Mr. Pickering was born Feb. 15, 1944, the son of Glenn and Elva Cook Pickering, in Yankton, S.D. 

He graduated from Yankton High School in 1962.  He received his bachelor’s in education and a master’s insSocial studies from the University of South Dakota.

He married Maureen Kay “Mitzi” Senner Aug. 12, 1967, at Freeman, S.D.  She died April 12, 1979.  He married Judi M. (Bence) Riddle Aug. 2, 1980, at Oakville, Iowa.

He taught at the Anthon – Otto School in Northwest Iowa and then career taught social studies at Wapello High School.  He also coached girls track and boys and girls cross country.  He retired after this last school year.

He had been a member and active with the Wapello Education Association and National Education Association and had been a member and past regional president of the Iowa State Education Association. 

He was a great gardener and enjoyed sharing his produce with others.  He also enjoyed caring for his yard and enjoyed fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Judi; a daughter, Brandii Wherry and husband, Aaron of Bakersfield, Calif.; a brother, Kenneth Pickering and wife, Lavonne of Pierre, S.D.; and a sister, Carol Schulz and husband, Doug of Lincoln, Neb. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Mitzi.