Gayle Lee McCormick, 79, of Indianola, Iowa formerly of Muscatine, passed away on October 5, 2026, surrounded by friends and family.

Born in Muscatine, Iowa on July 21, 1947, he was a man who measured his life not in accomplishments, but in relationships: the grandchildren who rode on his shoulders, the friends who would spend hours sharing stories and the family and neighbors who knew he would always stop to help.

In Vietnam, Gayle served his country in the United States Marine Corps and carried that sense of duty into every chapter of his life. He had a passion for guns, hunting and gardening. He spent his working years in construction and worked on the pipeline. But those who knew him best, remember the way he could make any room feel like a kitchen table, and any stranger feel like family.

He is survived by Brenda Chapman; his children, Patrick (Jolene) McCormick and Christine Denning; grandchildren, Mason McCormick, Quinn Murphy, David (Dannelle) Thompson, Hunter (Beth) Albers, Emilie Denning, Julia Denning, Bill Denning, Keith (Cody) Denning, Danielle (John) Zanatta, Corey (Ciara) Denning and Cole (Macy) Denning; siblings, Christine McCormick, Peggy Smith, Barry McCormick, Tim (Mindy) McCormick, Keith (Darcy) McCormick; many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and also, the many people in his life that he loved and considered family.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, James and Lillian McCormick; sister, Bonnie Buser; brothers, Jim McCormick, Ron McCormick and Kenneth McCormick; granddaughter, Ashley Thompson; son-in-law, Kent Denning; and nephew, Jamey Buser.

Gayle McCormick, 79, of Indianola passed away Monday, October 5, 2026, at UnityPoint Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held 11 a.m., Monday, October 12, 2026 at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Adel. A Celebration of Life Gathering will follow from 1 to 3 p.m., at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola. A time of Remembrance will begin at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.