Gale Gakle 1960-2021

Gale Gakle 1960-2021

Gale “Butch” Owen Gakle, 61, of Holton, passed away Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at Stormont-Vail Hospital.

He was born Feb. 16, 1960, in Long Beach, Calif., the son of Gale E. and Erma Marie (Johnson) Gakle.

Gale graduated from Excelsior Springs High School in 1978. After moving to Holton, he worked for Boyd Construction for a few years. Realizing Holton Police Department was in need of a dispatcher, Gale began working for them in 1980. He graduated in the 72nd class from KLETC (Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center), beginning his 40 years at the department. Gale retired on March 5, 2021, as police chief.

He was a member of Holton Fire Department, Holton Rotary and Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police. He took pride in helping the local children with the G.R.E.A.T. program at Holton and Jackson Heights schools and assisting with the Sheriff’s Day Camp.

Gale married Lorene “Lori” Ann Moser on June 9, 2001, in Holton.

Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Lori Gakle, of the home; six children, Nathaen Wessel (fiancé Susan Wires) of Topeka, Allysa Dawn Smith (husband Scott) of Lincoln, Neb., Matthew E. Gakle of Auburn, Dalton M. Gakle (girlfriend Kayla Hutzell) of Wakarusa, Jennifer L. Scheid (husband Chris Busch) of Topeka and Ben A. Scheid (wife Tamra) of Topeka; a sister, Betty “B.J.” Rokey (husband Gary) of Sabetha; 15 grandchildren; two nephews, Christopher Rokey of Topeka and Wade Rokey of Sabetha; and a niece, Nichole Rokey of Topeka.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gale and Erma Gakle; sister, Gaylene L. Gakle; and a brother, Roger A. Gakle.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 4 at Evangel United Methodist Church in Holton. Burial and Last Call will follow in Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Gale will lie in state from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and until visitation time Wednesday.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Gale Gakle Memorial Fund, to be designated at a later date and sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com

(PAID OBITUARY)

The Holton Recorder

109 W. Fourth St.
Holton, KS 66436
Phone: 785-364-3141
 

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