Gayle W. Way, 78, died Saturday, April 6, 2013 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.
He was born May 28, 1934 at Puxico to the late Lucetria (Buckley) Way Bennett and Dewey Way.
He was a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He had resided in Sikeston since 1996 and was a member of Sikeston Elks Lodge #2319 and of the Poplar Bluff Gun Club. He had previously worked for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for over 31 years; was a sergeant and firearms instructor at the police academy and had been a national pistol champion.
He was united in marriage July 23, 1977 to Geraldine K. "Geri" Stanecke at Clayton, MO and she survives of the home. Also surviving are 1 son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Dorothy Way of Barnhart; 1 daughter, Teresa Poole; 2 step-daughters Angela & Derek Bye of Ft. Worth, Tx and Janet Hobbs of O'Fallon. Eight grandchildren also survive.
Friends may call from 5 pm Thursday, Apr. 11 until time for services at 7 pm at Blanchard Funeral Chapel with Rev. Lee Brown officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at 1:00pm Monday, April 15 at Jefferson Barracks Veterans Cemetery at St. Louis.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Sikeston Area Humane Society.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at blanchardfuneral.com.