Gail Marie (Whittaker) Horvat

      Gail Marie Horvat, age 69, of St. Louis, MI, passed away Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at Woodland Hospice House, Mt. Pleasant, MI.

      A Celebration of Life will be held at First Baptist Church, St. Louis, MI, on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 11:00 A.M.   Visitation will be held on Friday, March 22, 2024, from 6-8 P.M. at the church. 

      Gail was born in Cass City, Michigan on February 2, 1954, the daughter of Vernon David and Lois Edith (Surbrook) Whittaker. She graduated from St. Louis High School with the Class of 1972. After the death of her father, Gail lived at the Baptist Children's Home for 10 years. She then resided the rest of her life in St. Louis, MI. On December 1, 2006, Gail married James Horvat in St. Louis, MI.  They have been married for seventeen years. She was a member of Lighthouse PCG in St. Louis.

      Gail enjoyed quilting, gardening and putting smiley faces on everything. The passion of her life was to encourage others. Gail led a DivorceCare group for 10 years. She enjoyed traveling and photographing hot air balloons, winning second place in a hot air balloon photography competition in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She owned and operated Memories By Gail Photography in St. Louis for 35 years. 

      "I've lived, I've loved, I've gone to be with God." - Gail

      She is survived by her husband Jim Horvat, son Luke (Valerie) Bush of Breckenridge, MI; son Charles Peter (Christy) Bush of Rockford, MI; step-son Dan Horvat of Flint, MI; five grandchildren: Isaac, Macie, Lane, Marcus, and Brianna; three siblings: Gloria, Linda, and Jerry; many nieces and nephews, and the father of her sons Kenneth Bush. Gail was preceded in death by her father Vernon Whittaker, and mother Lois Sugden.

       In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alma Community Art Center, Love INC., or Lighthouse Church (PCG) of St. Louis. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, Michigan.