James C. Gatrell

James C. Gatrell (June 25, 1939 – December 7, 2025) passed away peacefully at his home in Indiana. He was the son of the late Samuel Clay Gatrell and Goldie Mayhew Spencer. Jim was married on July 10, 1968 to Linda Elizabeth (nee Monarch) Gatrell.

Jim spent his entire career at General Telephone and the majority of it “Up North” including roughly three decades in Gaylord. In retirement, he served on the Otsego County Commission and held various retirement “gigs” to keep busy. He was an active member of several community organizations and served as a volunteer firefighter (Grayling, MI) and EMT (Rudyard, MI). In the early 2000s, Linda and he relocated to Terre Haute, Indiana to be near their children and grandchildren. During his years in Terre Haute, Jim kept busy and truly enjoyed his 10 years of service as a custodian at the Vigo County School Corporation. Work provided his life structure; but it was his grandchildren and family that provided him true joy and meaning—particularly later in life.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda—and their son Danny—and siblings Ed, Tom, Robin, and Duke. He is survived by his sons; Tony (Nancy) Gatrell, Jon (Emily) Gatrell, and Jay (Kristina) Gatrell, their children Brody, Brooks (Madison), Blaise, Kevren, Dijouri, Blake, Elena, Forrest, Mary (Cooper), and Ezra. This year Jim became a great grandfather to Mary & Cooper’s daughter, Margot Bybee, and enjoyed the regular facetimes from Utah. He was also excited at the prospect of soon meeting Brooks and Madison’s daughter expected next month. Jim is also survived by his siblings Dick, Bob, Brenda, Alan, and David.

Visitation will be held Friday, December 12, 2025 from 10am until Noon with a service beginning at Noon at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap Street, Northville. Jim will be laid to rest at Rural Hill Cemetery following the service.

The family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Eastern Illinois University Foundation – Jim and Linda Gatrell Textbook Scholarship Fund; please write Gatrell Textbook Scholarship on the memo of the donation. https://www.eiu.edu/giving.php