Gregory Chester Gebolys

Gregory Chester John Gebolys, 76, of Maumee, Ohio, died unexpectedly on June 1, 2026, at University of Toledo Medical College (UTMC) Hospital Emergency Department.

He was born to Chester J. and Edith Irene (House) Gebolys on their sixth wedding anniversary, October 24, 1949. Greg grew up in the Toledo area and was a 1968 graduate of Rogers High School. He received his journeyman's card as an Operating Engineer in 1975. He then worked in the construction industry and ran Gebolys Enterprises that led to thirty-eight years at the Lima Army Tank Plant, now known as the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center. He worked on the first XMl Abrams Main Battle Tank and tested Abrams Main Battle Tanks as a Troubleshooter for General Dynamics.

Greg held many offices in the UAW Local 2075, the longest as Chairman of the Veterans Committee. All his life he enjoyed being a strong union member and credited much of his success to the union movement.

Forty-two years ago, Greg married Christine Wilkes Trudel, an elementary school teacher for Washington Local Schools. She survives along with their daughter, Elizabeth (Beth) Gebolys, brother Paul of The Woodlands Texas and many cousins and friends.

Studying at night, Greg graduated from Lima Technical College with an associate degree in technical studies. He then attended Spring Arbor University, earning a bachelor of arts degree in 1998.

Greg proudly served his country and state for sixteen years in The Ohio Military Reserve, 43 MP Bn in Walbridge, Ohio. Governor Celeste selected him to parachute into Holland with the Dutch Commandos, the 101st and the 82nd Airborne. This jump was to commemorate the World War II Operation Market-Garden of September 1945. It led him to earn his Israel jump-wings in 2000, when he was honorably discharged as Command Sergeant Major in the OMR.

During his time overseas, the adoption of Elizabeth Anna Gebolys was granted. Having developed a fondness for the Dutch people and their frequent use of the name, Anna, it became clear to Greg that Anna should be Elizabeth's middle name.

Greg loved to take part in serving others and enjoying family life, fishing, hunting, riding motorcycles, antique cars, history and building things with his own hands. He valued being president of the Carisbrook Association for many, many years and the neighbors with whom he interacted. His Whitehouse A's membership taught him that he didn't drive his 1930 Model A Ford enough when he reported his annual mileage. Together with other volunteers, he worked to erect The Veterans Freedom Flag Monument in Lima, Ohio, to honor military veterans and he helped build Half Pint, a scaled-down M1A2 Abrams tank.

The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, June 10, from 4 to 8 PM at the Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant St., Maumee, Ohio 43537. On Thursday, June 11, visitation will continue from 10 to 11 AM at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Catholic Church, 4201 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo, Ohio 43614. Funeral Mass will follow at 11 AM. Interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Maumee followed by a luncheon at the Holy Family Center of St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Catholic Church

If you wish to honor Greg, please consider a donation in his memory to The Veterans Freedom Flag Monument Foundation Inc, 710 West Carisbrook Drive, Maumee, Ohio 43537 or Veterans Food Pantry of Northwest Ohio, P.O. Box 645, Lima, Ohio 45801.