Gale Edward Davidson

MARTINSVILLE, Ill. — The Martinsville Fire Protection District is mourning the loss of Fire Chief Gale Edward Davidson, age 51, of Martinsville, Ill. who passed away at Union Hospital in Terre Haute, Ind. on Friday, May 29, 2009. Gale was born March 4, 1958, in Anderson, Ind., the son of Herman A. and Mildred Ruth Brown Davidson. Gale married his loving wife of 25 years, Toni Denney Davidson on May 25, 1984, in Westfield, Ill. Survivors include his wife, Toni of Martinsville, Ill.; children, Heather Davidson of Mattoon, Ill.; Rachelle Carlen of Hume, Ill.; Bill (wife Kristi) Carlen of Casey, Ill.; brother, Herman (wife Robin) Davidson of Martinsville, Ill.; father and mother-in-law, Gene and Rubye Denney of Casey; sister-in-law, Dexxey (husband Jack) Livingston of Florida; grandchildren, Dylan Eugene; Jadelyn Marie and Gavin Edward; nephews, Christopher and Ryne Davidson of Martinsville, Ill.; Joshua (wife Amy) Davidson of Marshall, Ill. and niece, Stephanie (husband Troy) Collier of Casey; great-nieces, Whitney Collier and Courtney Davidson and great-nephew, McCale Davidson. Gale was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, James E. (Jed) Davidson.Gale graduated from Martinsville High School in 1976. He joined the Martinsville Fire Protection District in 1978 and was a firefighter until 1995 when he was elected Fire Chief, a position he held until his death. Gale was employed by the Martinsville Community School District. He was involved with many organizations including the Martinsville City Council, Martinsville Fair Board, Martinsville Ambulance Service and the Clark County 911 Board. He had been previously employed and later became owner of Stephens's Bins for 30 years and was a sponsor and coach for baseball little league teams.Firefighter funeral services are 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Martinsville High School gymnasium, 215 W. Vine St., Martinsville, Ill. with the Revs. Art Orndorff and Dave Wilson officiating. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Martinsville Bible Church, 509 Ridgelawn Rd., Martinsville, Ill. with a Firefighter Walk-Through at 7 p.m. Burial will follow services in the Ridgelawn Cemetery, Martinsville, Ill. Gale will be sadly missed by his loving family, friends, and many past and present Firefighters. He will be greatly remembered for his many contributions made to the community. Memorial donations and contributions may be made to the Gale E. Davidson Memorial Fund c/o Martinsville First Bank and Trust, 10 E. Cumberland St., Martinsville, IL 62442. Greenwell Funeral Home of Martinsville, Illinois is in charge of the arrangements.