Mr. Gary Wayne Stitely, 82, of Fayetteville, PA, passed away Monday, August 24, 2026 at Chambersburg Hospital surrounded by his family. Gary had been in failing health for the last 2 years and in critical health for the last 2 weeks.
Born May 30, 1944 in Frederick County, MD, Gary was the son of the late LeRoy and Jessie (Reed) Stitely.
Gary was a graduate of Catoctin High School with the class of 1962, and served his country in the US Army during the Vietnam era for 6 years. He spent 45 years at Landis Machine Company in Waynesboro, PA prior to his retirement.
Gary was a member of Harriet Episcopal Chapel in Thurmont, MD and attended numerous churches locally. When Gary was just 16 years old, he worked at the Catoctin Zoo, then known as Jungleland Snake Farm, and had the pleasure of meeting many Presidents, their wives and their children; in particular, John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline. He loved the Dallas Cowboys, enjoyed Nascar with his Stymiest nephews and was a news junkie who we referred to as “Walter Cronkite”. His hobbies included hunting, fishing and generally any outdoor activity. Gary was a music enthusiast and enjoyed many concerts with his daughter, Julie. Some of his favorites were Elvis Presley and Guns and Roses.
Gary is survived by his wife of almost 40 years, Patti (Stymiest) Stitely, 3 children, Julie Stambaugh (Sam), Jessica Porter (Bryant) and Eric Stitely (Lila); 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. AND, last but not least, he will be dearly missed by Gilby, Gracie and Snookers – his beloved cats!!
In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by two sisters, Joan Portner and Betty Young. Gary was the last of his immediate family.
Services will be held Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 12:00 P.M. at Mont Alto United Methodist Church, 10 South Main Street, Mont Alto, PA with Pastor Loretta McClure officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, Saturday morning, in the church.
Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tunnel to Towers https://t2t.org/ or Mont Alto United Methodist Church, 10 S. Main St., Mont Alto, PA 17237.
Grove Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro, PA is handling the arrangements.
