Gale L. Butcher, 101, Rockford, died at 3:45 p.m. Dec. 23, 2010, at Colonial Nursing Center in Rockford.

He was born May 26, 1909, in Jefferson Township, Ind., to Elbridge and Stella Houser Butcher. On July 18, 1932, he married Wilma Alt, who died Nov. 27, 1996.

Surviving are three sons, Dallas (Marie) Butcher, Fernandino, Fla., Jack (Lois) Butcher, Fort Wayne, Ind., and Jim (Donnetta) Butcher, Dayton; two daughters, Sheryl (Jerry) Clay, Mendon, and Debra (Mike) Schumm, Rockford; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

Also deceased are three brothers, Clell, Paul and Walter Butcher; three sisters, Leota Bebout, Jessie Wendel and Ruth Reef; and a grandchild.

He was a pressman at the former Rockford Press, Rockford. He also worked at Decatur Casting Company in Decatur, Ind. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Liberty Township.

Services are 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church, the Rev. Randall Swanson officiating. Burial is at the church cemetery.

Calling is 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford and 9-10 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Condolences may be left at ketchamripley.com.