Gale E Ethridge, 80, Glasco, passed away Monday, August 4, 2025, at the Salina Regional Health Center, with his family by his side. He was born September 22, 1944, in Salina, to Frank and Neomi (Beichley) Ethridge.

He attended grade school in Ada; eighth grade in Booneville, AR; and graduated from Glasco High School in 1962. He then attended Sterling College, Sterling KS where he played football for two years. He transferred to K-State and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in botany.

He and his wife, Irma Fritzemeyer were united in marriage on Veterans Day in 1967. That same year, he joined the United States Navy for four years and he served as a dental technician attached to a Seabee Battalion. After his time in the Navy, he returned to Glasco and began his career in agriculture, growing crops of wheat, grain sorghum, soybeans, and alfalfa as well as raising cattle.

He had been exposed to Christianity all his life, but it was not until his early 20's that he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ, repented, and asked Jesus to be his Lord and savior.  His passion for 40 plus years was working and teaching youth about Jesus Christ. Gale was a faithful member of the Glasco Bible Fellowship Church and an Institute of Ministry board member.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, Mary Jo.

Survivors are his wife of 57 years, Irma; daughter Cathy Rice and her husband Justin; son Kris Ethridge and his wife, Brooke; and six grandchildren, Gabriel, Gus, and Emma Rice; Luke, Grace, and Elijah Ethridge.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, August 7, at Wilson Family Funeral Home, 405 Argyle Ave, Minneapolis, KS  67467. Graveside services will be at 9:00 A.M. Friday, August 8, at Fairview Cemetery, Ada, KS. A celebration of life service will be at 11:00 A.M. at the Glasco Bible Fellowship Church, 204 N Spear, Glasco, KS  67445. Memorials may be made to the Glasco Teens for Christ, Glasco Community Foundation, or Glasco Bible Fellowship Church and may be left in care of the funeral home.