Gary L. Maitland, 72, of Cherry Valley, IL, and Davenport, FL, passed away Sunday July 15, 2018, from complications due to cancer. He was born September 2, 1945, in Rockford, IL, to Lawrence and Dorothy (Stevens) Maitland. He was a 1963 graduate of Harlem High School and served in the Army Reserves from 1965 to 1971. He earned degrees from Rock Valley College, Western Illinois and Northern Illinois University. He married Barbara Mayborne on May 10, 1979. After working as a draftsman for Greenlee Brothers and for Ingersoll Milling Machine in the 1960s, he began his life long career in law enforcement and public service and graduated from the 147th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. He joined the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department on April 6, 1970. After working in a patrol car for 15 years, his promotions took him into police administration. He left the sheriff's department at the rank of Major in 1996 to become the Chief of Police in Cherry Valley, IL, where he served for 12 years, retiring in May of 2008. After retirement, Gary stayed involved in his community and was elected to two four-year terms as a Trustee for the Village of Cherry Valley. He was also appointed in 2006 to the Board of Trustees for the Cherry Valley Fire Protection District where he served until his passing. He was a lifetime member of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the Illinois Police Association. He was a member of the First Evangelical Covenant Church in Rockford. Gary's quiet yet strong presence, along with his involvement and continuous support, made him an exceptional father to his sons. Gary was a lifelong Packer fan and very much enjoyed playing golf with his Saturday morning group. Gary also loved to travel with his wife, Barbara. He is predeceased by his parents.
Service at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 21, in First Evangelical Covenant Church, 316 Wood Road, Rockford. Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 20, in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Gary can be made to: Northern Illinois Multi-Jurisdictional Honor Guard, 806 East State Street, Suite A, Cherry Valley, IL 61016. Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., of Loves Park. Visit delehantyfh.com.