GALE W. NORTH

Gale W. North, age 80, of North Liberty, IN passed away at 12:21 pm Thursday, October 31, 2013 at his home. Born on March 29, 1933 in Wilson Lake, Whitley County, he was the son of Charles B. and Rhoda B. (Cook) North.

He graduated from Larwill High School with the Class of 1951. He was a Korean War Veteran with the Marine Corps serving from 1953 1961.During his service he was awarded medals for National Defense Services, Korean Service, Sharpshooter and Good Conduct.Gale had achieved the rank of Sergeant at the end of his tour of duty.On July 21, 1957 he married G. Ilene Leutz at First Church of God, CC, IN. He retired from Reiff Construction with 20 years of service before starting his own construction company. Gale loved his family, sports, especially IU and joining his friends for morning coffee. He was a lifetime resident of Whitley County and recently moved from Larwill to North Liberty to be closer to his daughter.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, G. Ilene North; daughter, Tamra S. (Daren) Richards of South Bend; grandchildren, Joshua Shepherd, Adam Shepherd, Sarah (Paul) Reyes and Jeremy Richards; four great-grandchildren; and sisters, Mary Gebert and Betty Blain both of Columbia City. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Marjorie North and Martha Doepker; and brothers, Richard, Phil, Don and Robert North.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2013 from 2 to 7:30 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City with a memorial service at 7:30 p.m. Graveside services with military honors by the Whitley County Korean War Veterans will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 9, 2013 at Oak Grove (Compton) Cemetery, 1970 E. Keiser Rd, Col City, IN. Memorial gifts may be given in Mr. Norths memory to Center for Hospice Care in South Bend or Parkview Whitley Home Health Care and Hospice.