Gale Howard Earle

Gale Howard Earle, 87, of Sterling, passed away March 10, 2019 at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born August 7, 1931 in Sterling, Kansas, the son of Seale and Roella Magers Earle. He graduated from Sterling High School with the class of 1949, and received his Associates Arts Degree from Hutchinson Community College. Gale was a lifetime Sterling resident, having moved to Hutchinson in 2013. He was a retired store manager for Westlake Hardware, working in the hardware and sporting goods departments. Gale served in the United States Navy from August 30, 1951 until July 1, 1955 during the Korean War. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Sterling; Sterling American Legion Post #128; board member for the Sterling Public Library; former Sterling Chamber of Commerce president; and was involved in the Sterling Youth Softball Program. On June 18, 1960, Gale was united in marriage with Wanda Lee Elliott in Sterling. She preceded him in death on May 14, 2018. He is also preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Juanita Koblitz. He is survived by his daughter, Stephanie Gale Schoenfeld of Katy, TX; son, David Seale Earle and wife Sherry of Lindsborg, KS; five grandchildren, Ashley Brandes and husband Paul, Jonathan Earle, Austin Earle and wife Jessica, Grayson Schoenfeld, and Saige Schoenfeld; and three great-grandchildren, Bevyn and Owen Brandes, and Exum Earle. Funeral service will be at 10:30 A.M., Friday, March 15, 2019 at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling with Rev. Paul Brandes officiating. Burial will be at Sterling Community Cemetery with military honors by the United States Navy and the Sterling American Legion. Memorials may be given to the Sterling Public Library or Hospice House in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.