Gale Elwer Obituary

GALE EDWARD ELWER Gale Edward Elwer was born on April 8, 1933, in Delphos, Ohio, and passed away on June 6, 2025, surrounded by family at home in Tracy, CA. He was the 9th of 12 children born to Dorothy (Frederick) and Otto Elwer. He was preceded in death by his parents and 9 siblings. Helen Clementz, Gertrude Wenzlick, Ursula Wenzlick, Johnita Elwer SND, Jimmy Elwer, Fred Elwer, Rosemary Kill Sr., Joan Lammers, and Doris Kray. He is survived by one sister, Lea Klaus, and one brother, Omer (Jane) Elwer. Gale met Elizabeth (Betty) Luebrecht while on Christmas leave from Germany in 1955. After a two-week courtship, he knew she was the one! He asked his sister Joan (who was Betty's friend and roommate) to propose to Betty for him on Valentine's Day. Betty said "Yes!" and they were married 10 months later, December 29, 1956. They were married 56 years before she passed in 2013. Gale and Betty are survived by their 5 children, 8 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. Their children are Linda (Mark) Wihl of Tracy, CA; Gary (Diane) Elwer of Mt. Dora, FL; Diane (Diane) Elwer of Grand Junction, CO; Greg (Tammy) Elwer of Roswell, GA; and Sandy (John) Macias of Antelope, CA. Their grandchildren are Rachel (Kurt) Brockett of Pleasanton, CA; Heather (Chris) Adorna of Oakland, CA; Zachary (Maria) Wihl of Okotoks, Alberta; and Jacob (Justine) Wihl of Colorado Springs, CO; Tyler Elwer from Atlanta, GA; Cal Elwer from Seattle, WA; Gabriella Macias from San Francisco, CA; and Anthony Macias from Mountain View, CA. Gale and Betty's great-grandchildren are Lauren, Claire, and Taylor Brockett; Adeline, Evelyn, and Gabriel Wihl; and Dane and Dax Wihl. Gale grew up on a farm and went to Delphos St. John's Elementary School. He then attended the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, OH for high school and freshman year of college. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1952. While in the Air Force, he graduated with a BA degree in English and Language from Tampa University then a BS in Math from Michigan State University, and finally a Master's Degree in Reliability/Maintainability Engineering from Wright Patterson AFB. He retired as a Major from the Air Force after 25 years of service. He started as an Airman Basic assigned to an atomic test group testing weapon delivery systems for aircraft in New Mexico. He ended his Air Force career working with the A-10 System Program Office. His second career was working for Pratt and Whitney in West Palm Beach, FL as a Reliability Engineer for an additional 15 years. Gale was an active member of the Catholic Church his entire life. Wherever he lived, he volunteered in the local parish. He served as a lector, Eucharistic minister, catechist, and along with his wife Betty, prepared couples for the Sacrament of Marriage. He also served with the Knights of Columbus. Gale enjoyed traveling and visiting with friends and family. He researched his and Betty's genealogy, even traveling to Germany to visit recently discovered family. Gale also loved fixing things out in the garage and was very handy. If it was broken, Dad could fix it. He was an avid euchre player and enjoyed researching current topics on the computer. Gale was a kind and patient father with a zest for life. He always had time for family. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and everyone with a smile on his face! He is an honorable and faith-filled disciple of Christ. Thank you for your love and example! Gale's Vigil will be Monday, June 30, 2025, at Harter and Schier Funeral Home from 4-8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St Joseph Catholic Church in Ft Jennings, Ohio Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 10:30 am. Burial immediately follows in St Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Ft Jennings, and then a reception in the church basement. Memorials may be directed to Pontifical College Josephinum, Sisters of Notre Dame Office of Mission Advancement, and/or Pregnancy Resource Center of Tracy.