James E. "Jim" Gale

James Edward “Jim” Gale, age 70, of Greenville, passed away at home under hospice care, on July 6, 2025, following a long battle with cancer. Jim was born in Greenville on November 8, 1954, the son of James E. and Carol Betty (Geister) Gale, both of whom preceded him in death. He graduated from Belding High School and continued his skills training in machine repair and maintenance. He worked for 40 plus years as a service and repair technician specializing in bowling alley pin setting equipment. He was a talented fabricator making replacements when they could not be sourced and could tell what adjustment the machinery needed just by how it sounded. Over the years he put his skills to work at Greenville Bowling Alley and Spectrum Lanes in Grand Rapids. In his spare time, he loved to golf and was a huge fan of anything having to do with the Wizard of Oz. He also looked forward to Halloween each year so he could take the grandkids to the scariest haunted houses he could find.

Jim is survived by his dear friend and life-long companion Susan D. Larsen; his children James Wesley “Wes” Gale of Ionia, Toni Gayle (Christopher) Neve of Belding, Hazel Joy Sieggreen of Florida, and Melissa Sue (Travis) Palmer of Stanton; grandchildren Race, Orion, Alex, Bruce, Carly and Morgan; and 4 great grandchildren; a brother, Greg (Debbie) Gale of Orleans; several brothers- and Sisters-in-law; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Candace, a sister Candy Gale and granddaughters Giana Neveah and Syrianna.

Services for Jim will take place on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Verdun Family Funeral Home, 303 S. Bridge Street, Belding, Michigan 48809. The family will greet visitors beginning at 2:00 p.m. with a Service beginning at 3:00 with Pastor William Overton officiating. Those wishing to express their sympathy are welcomed to consider a contribution in his memory to the American Cancer Society or the hospice organization of the donor’s choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. For additional information, please contact Verdun Family Funeral Home at (616) 794-1300 or verdunfh.com.