AVA – Oakley Gale, 93, of Ava passed away at 6:03 AM, Thursday, February 21, 2019, at the Manor Court in Carbondale.

Oakley was born on December 16, 1925, in Gorham, the son of Albert and Mamie (Butler) Gale. He served his country proudly in the US Army during WWII, he then married Helen H. Kessel, on October 7, 1950 in Ava and they shared 49 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on April 18, 2000. Oakley was a farmer and a member of the St. Ann's Catholic Church, Raddle.

Oakley is survived by his son; Albert (Julie) Gale, of Murphysboro, grandchildren; Ashley (Greg) Gale, Erin (Tyler) Camfield, 4 great grandchildren; Keatton Edwards, Jack and Emma Camfield, and Brock Rowald. He is also survived by a sister; Geraldine Dillow, of Murphysboro.

Mr. Gale was preceded in death by his parents, wife, granddaughter and her husband; LeRae and Greg Edwards, and 4 sisters, and 2 brothers.

Funeral mass will be held at 11 AM, Monday, February 25, 2019, at the St. Ann's Catholic Church, Raddle with Father Gary Gummersheimer, and Father Leo Hayes officiating, burial will follow at the Bower Cemetery, rural Ava. Visitation will be held on Sunday evening at the Wilson's Funeral Home in Ava where friends may call from 5 to 8 PM, and then on Monday from 7:30 until 10:15 AM. Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or the Alzheimer's Association.