Gale Lynn Belden

Gale Lynn Belden was the oldest son of Harold and Eleanor (McCorkle) Belden.  He was born at the hospital at Red Cloud, Nebraska.  He had one younger brother, David.

Gale attended grade school and high school at Burr Oak, Kansas.  After high school, he attended Kansas State University, with two scholarships.  He lived in the Maitland E. Smith Scholarship House for his time spent at KSU.

Gale dropped out of college to join the Kansas National Guard at Smith Center, Kansas, so he could return to Burr Oak and farm with his folks.  Gale attended basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia and Advance Individual Training at Redstone Arsenal at Hunstville, Alabama.  Gale spent twelve years in the Kansas National Guard.

Gale drove the mail star route from Concordia, Kansas to Esbon, Kansas from 1972 until 1976.  In August of 1976, Gale resigned his position to attend Electrical School at The North Central Kansas Technical School.

After graduation, in May of 1977, Gale went to work for the Hutchmaster at Lincoln, Kansas.  Here he met Cheryl (Lockhart) Sheridan.  Gale worked for a year at Lincoln and then got a job with Howard Electric in Denver, Colorado.  While in Denver, Gale took the Colorado Journeyman’s Electrical test and received his license.  Gale was laid off at Thanksgiving and returned to the farm.

In 1979, Gale married Chery Sheridan.  To this union one son was born, James Leroy Belden, on March 22, 1080.  Gale and Cheryl were divorced in February 1982.

Gale took night classes and graduated from Cloud County Community College in May of 1983.  He then started taking Distance Learning Classes at Kansas State University.  He graduated from K-State in May of 2000.

Gale worked for Mankato Livestock Commission Company for 7 years from 1981 until 1987.  In the fall of 1987, Gale went to work for the Jewell County Rural Water District as the Manager.  Gale worked for the RWD until his retirement.

Graveside service will be Wednesday, October 10, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. at the Burr Oak Cemetery, Burr Oak, Kansas.  Memorials can be left to the charity of your choice with the Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas.  Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements.