Gale Levey Obituary

GALE RICHARD LEVEY, 73 ROCKFORD - Gale Richard Levey, 73, of Rockford passed away Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, in Alden Park Strathmoor Nursing Home. Born Oct. 26, 1937, in Rockford, the son of Sherman G. and Florence (Alberts) Levey. Lifetime Rockford-area resident. Veteran serving in the National Guard. Married Sandra A. Garrigan on July 9, 1966, in Rockford. Employed by Atwood Manufacturing for 25 years, and retired from OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center as a valet. Member of Broadway Covenant Church, Blackhawk Trails Club and Belvidere Moose. Gale cherished many things in life but the three most important were God, family and helping others. He was always willing to offer a helping hand, give advice or just provide a shoulder to lean on. He loved to use puns, never passing on an opportunity to make someone laugh. Gale was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed attending games with his son. He also loved to hike, but his passion was fishing. He would often take his grandchildren to Baumann Park or Pierce Lake and continue the tradition that he was the first to take them fishing. Gale is lovingly survived by his children, Beth (George) Parsons of Madison, Wis., Todd (Sharon) Levey of Wichita, Kan., Karen (Michael) Buelow of Rockford and Kristen (Christopher) Kopinski of Sherwood, Ark.; grandchildren, Amanda (Jason) Moller, Laura (Jose Meza) Parsons, Kassy and Ally Lenz, Katie and Abbigale Buelow, Madeline, Joshua, Connor and Carson Levey, Brianna, Jonathon, Sean and Ethan Kopinski and German granddaughter, Lara Stoffregen of Bordesholm, Germany; five great-grandchildren; sister, Connie Mikkelson of Rockford; mother-in-law, Josephine Garrigan of Rockford; several nieces and nephews; and lifelong friend, the Rev. Llew Walker of Milwaukee, Wis. Predeceased by his wife, Sandra in 1991; and brother, Donald in 2010. Service at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, in Broadway Covenant Church, 3525 Broadway, with visitation from 9 a.m. to service time; the Rev. Eric Filkin will officiate. Burial in Highland Gardens. Visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 10, in Delehanty Funeral Home Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Alzheimer's Association. For more information, visit delehantyfh.com.

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Published by Rockford Register Star from Jan. 9 to Jan. 10, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Gale Levey

3 Entries

Amanda Moller

January 10, 2011

You were a wonderful grandpa and I am thankful for all the amazing times and memories we had with you. I love you always.

Jessica Dominguez

January 10, 2011

My condolences to the family of Mr. Gale Levey. I was blessed to have known him while he worked at OSF Saint Anthony as valet. I remember his kind heart and smile. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed. May God carry through this rough time.

Dixie McLaughlin

January 9, 2011

So many people will speak with you of your father during the funeral relaying memories etc. After a few days they are on about their own lives as you continue to remember and miss him. My parents were close friends with your grandparents, Sherm and Florence. I went to Sunday school with your Dad. I remember him being so happy and proud of his gray Dodge coupe he bought about 1954. He took me for a ride so I could see how good the car rode. He just wanted to show it off. When you were a toddler Beth, you and your Dad came to our home and you played with our daughter Wendy. When my father died 47 years ago, a lady wrote a letter to me which I often take out and read. It brought such joy to know about my Dad from someone else. I wish to express this to all of you now. You father was a blessing to so many people, so kind, gentle,bringing joy to others. I never heard him complain or grumble - always speaking well of others. Your Dad was a great example of a good husband and father. I wish every child could have had a Dad like yours.
When we were 15, our youth group stood up in front of the entire State Street Baptist church congregation and all of us (including your Dad) made the decision to choose Jesus. Your Dad's eternal destination is Heaven where there is an overflow of anbundant peace and joy. He was truly a Man of God. The angels did come and carry him to paradise where he is now in the loving arms of Jesus and walking on the beautiful streets of gold. Thank you Jesus that Gale is no longer sick but healed and made whole.

Now pick out one bright star in the night sky, remember that this star was made by your heavenly Father, but your earthly father is winking and smiling at you through this star for you.

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