Gale Garbe

Gale Garbe, age 85, of Glen Carbon, passed away peacefully with family at his side on July 7, 2025, after a courageous battle with lymphoma.

Born on Nov. 1, 1939 in Effingham, Illinois, to Mabel and Edwin Garbe, Gale graduated from Mattoon High School and Eastern Illinois University, where he lettered in three sports, before getting a post-graduate degree from the University of Illinois.

Garbe went on to become a teacher and coach at Granite City High School, where his 1970 Warriors baseball team finished 26-7 and qualified for the IHSA state tournament. He retired as a teacher after 32 years, all at Granite City.

In retirement, Gale was able to embrace his passion for horse racing by raising and racing thoroughbreds for more than 25 years in Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. From his horse farm in Glen Carbon, Gale was a sports fan of the Fighting Illini and Chicago Bears. He enjoyed gardening and loved to share his produce with others.

But Gale’s greatest love was the family he cherished with beloved Mary Lou, his wife of 62 years. Gale was a devoted father and grandfather, attending athletic events, plays and activities along with keeping his competitiveness sharp by creating fun and games for family gatherings.

Gale is survived by wife Mary Lou (Reilly) Garbe, daughters Chris (Greg) Shashack of Edwardsville and Karin (Paul) Taplin of Foristell, Missouri, grandchildren Emily (Evan) Siers, Katie (Garrett) Carmichael, Samantha (Curtis Slisz) Taplin, Ethan Taplin and fiancé Meghan Barnes, Shae Garbe, step-grandchild Farrah (Brian) Taylor, great granddaughter Delaney Siers and many nephews and nieces.

Gale was preceded in death by both parents, son Gary Garbe, brother Garland Kingery and sisters Eleanor Ekstrand, Evelyn Mattis and Marcella Davis.

In celebration of his life, visitation will be at Irwin Chapel, 591 Glen Crossing Road in Glen Carbon from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Funeral service will be held at Irwin Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025, with Reverend Sharon Autenrieth officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Edwardsville.

In lieu of floral tributes, memorials may be made to the V Foundation for Cancer Research or the Ronald McDonald House Charities and may be accepted at the funeral chapel. www.irwinchapel.com

Obit Provided By:
Irwin Chapel Funeral Home