Batchelder, Gale H.

Gale H. Batchelder, 95, longtime resident of Marion, died Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Friends may call at 10 a.m. before the service which will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 11 a.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories in Cedar Rapids, with Pastor Adam Graunke officiating.

Gale is survived by three daughters, Dianne (Darrell) Shirk of Gravois Mills, Mo., Kay (Jim) Titus of Anamosa and Jo Ann (John) Gresh of Rockford, Ill.; sister, Mary Meeks of Shellsburg; sister-in-law, Lois Batchelder of Cedar Rapids; seven grandchildren, Brett Shirk of Paola, Kan., Darci Frahm of Oak Park, Calif., Sarah Roe of Lenexa, Kan., Trent Gresh of College Station, Texas, Tracy Senterfitt of White Oak, Texas, Troy Titus of Martelle and Shawna Merrill of Mankato, Minn.; 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian Batchelder; parents, Harrison and Lena Beck Batchelder; granddaughter, Tasha Shirk; and siblings, Howard, Harold, Cecil, Glenn Batchelder; and Bernice Beiber.

Gale was born Aug. 7, 1917, in Springville, Iowa, the son of Harrison and Lena Beck Batchelder. He graduated from Springville High School. Gale was united in marriage to Vivian M. Tonne on Oct. 6, 1940, in Bethany, Mo. Sgt. Gale H. Batchelder served in the Army during World War II. He worked in the Marion/Cedar Rapids area for Katz Salvage and Local Labor Union 43.

He was a loving and generous father, brother, and friend and will be missed by all who knew him.

A special thank you to the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Above and Beyond Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to hospice.

Please leave an online condolence for the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Published Jan. 6, 2013 in The Gazette