Gale R. Compton, 86, Van Wert, died at 4:05 p.m. May 7, 2013, at the Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.

He was born Oct. 7, 1926, in Haviland, to Roscoe and Ethel Irene Reid Compton. He married Vernabel Louise Murphy on April 14, 1945, and she died Feb. 4, 2008.

Surviving are a daughter, Jacqueline Sherer of Van Wert; two sons, Randall (Patricia) Compton of St. Marys and Ronald (Eve) Compton of St. Marys; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Also deceased are a brother, Dale R. Compton, and a sister, Phyllis Compton.

He had worked for Montgomery Ward and was a deputy for the Van Wert County Sheriff's Department. He also was a retired trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, having been posted at Wauseon, Defiance, St. Marys and Ashtabula. He was awarded the Carnegie Medal for heroism and the O.W. Merill Award for Valor, the highest award offered by the OSHP.

In retirement, he worked for Michael Photography in Lima and served as Safety Director for Tajon Trucking in Mercer, Pa.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church.

He was a 1944 graduate of Haviland-Scott High School, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, a 50-year member of Mercer Lodge 121, F.& A.M. in St. Marys, a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Dayton, member of V.F.W. Post 5803 in Van Wert and the Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197

Services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, the Revs. Gus Christo Baker and Paul W. Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Ridge Cemetery in Ridge Twp.

Calling is 2-6 p.m. Friday.

Memorial honors will be conducted by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Memorials may be given to Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center.

Condolences may be left at cowanfuneralhome.com.