Gary D Bales

Gary D. Bales, 58, of Connersville, died Sunday, March 20, 2016, at his residence. A Connersville native, Gary was born October 30, 1957 to Billy A. and Sally Shires Bales. He attended Connersville area schools and was a 1976 graduate of Connersville High School. In 2000, he graduated from the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago. Gary had a passion for cooking, especially French culinary, and had been employed as the Sous Chef at the Indianapolis Marriott Hotel. He was an avid sports fan of Indiana University basketball, the Colts and Notre Dame football and Cincinnati Reds baseball. Gary also enjoyed NHRA Drag Racing and boxing. Gary was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was currently employed at NSK in Liberty and had worked for 25 years at Roots Blower in Connersville. Gary is survived by his son: Jason Bales of San Francisco, California; his Mother: Sally Bales; his siblings and their spouses: Bob Bales and Karen, Jill Roberts, Don Bales and Theresa, Tammy Bales, all of Connersville; special cousins: DK Bales of Connersville, John Clifton and his wife, Cindy of Escondido, California; Mary Oliver of Andersonville; his niece: Stephanie Shaffer and her husband, Eric of Indianapolis; his nephews: Allen Bales of Riverside, California; Jay Michael Bales of Marino Valley, California; Logan Seale and his girlfriend, Sarah of Connersville; great-nieces and nephews. Gary is preceded in death by his Father, Billy Bales and a brother, Danny Bales. A Celebration of Gary’s Life will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville, with Jay Rowe of Connersville officiating. Interment will follow in Lick Creek Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday. For additional information and to send condolences or memories, go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com.