Gale C. Gordon, age 94, of Earl Park passed away on April 10th, 2022, at Franciscan Hospital from complications related to diabetes.
He was born December 21, 1927 in Darlington, Indiana to the late Leslie C. and Martha L. (Dickerson) Gordon. Gale was a 1946 graduate of Raub High School.
Gale honorably served in the United States Army during both the Korean Conflict and World War II. He served his tour of duty at Camp Atterbury in Edinburgh, Indiana. He was deeply privileged in 2018 to be chosen to participate in the Lafayette military veterans’ Honor Flight which flew him and dozens of other Korean, WWII, and Vietnam veterans to visit our nation’s war memorials in Washington, D.C.
Gale was a member of Raub United Methodist Church, American Legion Post 455, the Earl Park Lions Club and Masonic Lodge. He farmed in Benton County for 45 years. He served as York Township Precinct Committeeman, on the Benton County Council and the Benton County Fair Board. He was an early winner of the Lafayette Journal & Courier “George Award”, which is given to area volunteers who recognize a need in their community and take the initiative to address it. Gale implemented a plan to convert the abandoned Raub School into a community center with a roller skating rink. The center was enjoyed by local families for years.
Gale enjoyed watching baseball and basketball on TV, he loved spending time with his family, drinking coffee with the fellas at the local diner, and traveling with Marty. Among their most memorable adventures were visits to Antarctica, an underway Tiger Cruise on the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and a cross-country train trip to San Francisco. He was also an accomplished private pilot.
His marriage was to Martha (Marty) Guard in 1951 in Raub. Surviving along with his wife are three daughters, Connie Musser of Otterbein, Sue Beresford of Michigan, and Kathy Gordon (partner Jeanette) of Maryland; his grandsons Neal Musser (Valarie), Clay Beresford, Ross Beresford, granddaughter Brittany Peacock; two great grandsons Gavin and Mattox Musser who affectionately called him “Big Daddy”; as well as his brother Kenneth Gordon.
Preceding him in death are a son-in-law, Glen Musser and a grandson, Matt Musser.
Special thanks and acknowledgement to the Roudebush VA Medical Center and Franciscan Hospital for their compassionate care.
A heartfelt thank you to Sam Dewing.
Friends may call from 1 to 4pm (Eastern) Saturday, April 16, 2022 at the Earl Park Fire Station, 104 W. 5th Street, Earl Park. Funeral service will immediately follow at the Fire Station.
Memorial contributions may be made in Gale’s memory to Richland Township Fire Department, Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, or a charity of your choice.
Share memories and condolences online at www.clapperfuneralservices.com
