Mona M. "Mickey" Gavin, 85 of Callaway, peacefully passed away on April 22, 2025, after a short battle with cancer, surrounded by family in her room filled with love and prayer. Mona was born on Jan. 2, 1940, in the town of Huron, South Dakota to Eugene William Van Doren and Marjorie Ruth Gilchrist. Mona was raised in Huron, along with her brother Stanley and graduated high school at age 16 in Huron. Upon graduation she moved to southern California where she went to work for the phone company as a switchboard operator.

In March of 1958, Mona joined the U.S. Army and served her country as a cryptographer at the National Security Agency. Mona was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary as well as a member of the American Legion.

While stationed in Washington, D.C., Mona met the love of her life Robert Keith Gavin. They were married at a small country church in Clinton, Maryland on April 16, 1960. Through this union of love, they were blessed with four children – Tim, Kelley, Troy, and Todd.

Robert (USN Retired) and Mickey were stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, Oahu, Hawaii, Washington, D.C., Jacksonville, Florida, and Puerto Rico. Upon retirement from the Navy, Bob, Mickey, and the children moved to Clay Center to be closer to family. In 1977, the family made their final move to Callaway where they enjoyed several decades of life in this wonderful community.

Mona is survived by Troy and Julie Gavin of Sargent; Tim and Jill Gavin of Grand Island; her best friend and our ‘adopted sister’, Tina Barrett of Callaway; Christina Wilkinson (Tim) of Orange City, Florida, Tycen Gavin (Christina) of Ogallala, Lindsi Gavin (Carlos) of Cozad, Colt Corbin (Ryley) of Sargent, Jayme Box (Aaron) of Grand Island, Hannah Tillinghast of Grand Island, and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Mona was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Keith Gavin; daughter, Kelley Jo Gavin; and son, Todd Martin Gavin.

The celebration of life services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday April 30, at the Callaway Community Church with lunch served after the services. Interment with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell.

Memorials are suggested to the Callaway Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department where Mona served for many years as an EMT and whose selfless volunteers have responded to the Gavin house many times over the years.

Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome. com.