His obituary picture says it all, Gary Theo Maddern’s legacy full of love, heartfelt laughter and a fair amount of mischievous scheming. On Saturday, March 21, 2026, Gary was welcomed to his home in Heaven and reunited with the love of his life, Merriellen (Bridgewater) Maddern, who passed away in 2006. Known for his resourceful nature and an endless supply of jokes, Gary’s presence was enough to brighten any room, mainly because he was always up to something.

Born in Evart, Michigan on March 24,1944, to Theo and Helen (Norris) Maddern, Gary was a proud 1962 graduate of Evart High School. To him, work was just one part of a life well-lived; he was far more driven by his sense of mischief and his love for the outdoors. An avid fisherman and hunter, he also found great joy in the quiet, stillness of his garden.

Gary’s sense of humor was legendary. He famously loved to play jokes on his sister and was known to team up with family members and greet people on the party line with their version of the three stooges signature saying "Hello, hello, hello." Or making a simple task like ordering pizza, into a lifelong joke to those who remember him saying “No Artichokes, No Artichokes”! Whether he was gifting infamous and thoughtful homemade holiday treasures like his "turtle shell" helmet or the carefully crafted buckskin bras, he made the holidays into hilarious memories that will never be forgotten. Gary was the life of the party; he couldn’t resist the opportunity to make people laugh and he would never turn down a dare.

Gary is survived by: two daughters and their family, Karen Lawrence of Evart and daughter, Bridgette Powell of Ohio and Nancy Maddern Perna and her children, Gerald Perna Jr. and Erica Perna & 10 great-grandchildren all of TX; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Edwin Carmichael.

Knowing that animals held a special place in Gary’s heart, the family requests, in lieu of flowers, that memorial contributions be made to Osceola County Animal Control (Shelter).

A Celebration of Life for Gary will be held Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the Evart Township Hall from 1-4PM. Friends and family are invited to honor his memory by sharing stories and laughing about all their favorite memories.