Gale was born in Springfield on September 20, 1936, to State Representative J. David and Marjorie Gale Jones. She was educated in Springfield schools and attended Illinois Wesleyan University where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
Gale married John P. “Jack” Fixmer III on June 22, 1958. After Jack’s service in the U.S. Army, they settled in Libertyville, IL. Gale was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served as a ruling elder, deacon, and president of the United Presbyterian Women. Gale was elected as a Libertyville District 70 School Board member and was also a member of the Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society.
Gale and Jack retired to Springfield in 1995. There she served on the Adult Education Committee at Westminster Presbyterian Church. She also served as second vice president and yearbook chairman of the Springfield Symphony Guild. Gale was a member of Progress Circle of the King’s Daughters. In November of 1997, Gale was elected a director of the P. Buckley Moss Society board and served for six years. P. Buckley Moss is a renowned artist whose charitable work involving children is far-reaching in the United States and abroad.
Two organizations were very important to Gale. She was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and was president of her local chapters in both Libertyville and Springfield. Gale was the corresponding secretary for the 2008 P.E.O. State Convention and was a Membership Development Committee member.
Gale was also active in the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. She was Organizing Regent of the Ansel Brainerd Cook Chapter in Libertyville. She served in several roles on the state level and was Illinois State Regent from 1993-1995. On the national level she had several chairmanships and served as Vice President General, Organizing Secretary General, President of the National Officers Club, and First Vice President General.
For all her volunteer activities, Gale most cherished her roles as wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Gale loved all types of card games whether it was playing a friendly game of spades with her grandkids or a more serious game of duplicate bridge. She never met a stranger and would remember every detail about your family and interests.
Gale is survived by her children, Susan (James) Dyer of Carmel, IN, John P. Fixmer IV (Zendy) of The Philippines and David (Beth) Fixmer of Rochelle, IL; six grandchildren, Katie (Kai) Good of St. Paul, MN, Rob Dyer of St. Louis, MO, Tom Dyer of St. Paul, MN, Pamela Fixmer of Omaha, NE, Sarah (Andrew) Post of West Des Moines, IA, and Ava Fixmer of Rochelle, IL; brother, David (Karen) Jones of Nashville, TN; two nephews, David and Todd Jones; and several cousins.
Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies.
A Memorial Ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 16th at noon at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., Springfield, IL with The Rev. Dr. Blythe Denham Kieffer officiating. Friends and family can view the ceremony via livestream at - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p6naZENgm8
Private family inurnment will be held prior to ceremonies at Westminster Memorial Garden Columbarium.
Memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL. The family would like to thank the staffs of the Illinois Presbyterian Home and Mill Creek for their care.
