Gale Lee Duncan

Mr. Gale Lee Duncan I, 70, of Bella Vista, Ark., formerly of Anderson, Mo., departed this life suddenly on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at 7:45 a.m. from injuries sustained in a two vehicle accident near Jane, Mo. He was born on July 5, 1941, in St. Louis, Mo., to the late Homer A. and Pearl (Hogan) Duncan. He graduated from Central High School of St. Louis in the class of 1959, the oldest public school west of the Mississippi. He attended St. Louis University and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, Ill. On Jan. 1, 1963, he was united in marriage to Judith Ann Pais, and to this union two sons and one daughter were born. Gale worked for funeral home in St. Louis, Mo., until 1977 when he and his wife, Judy, became owners of Ozark Funeral Homes Inc., retiring in 2004. He served as coroner of McDonald County for 28 years, was a Crowder College trustee for 10 years, past board member of the Anderson State Bank, president of the Missouri Funeral Directors Association during their 100 year anniversary, member of the Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star and the Odd Fellows Lodge. He was a member of the Traveling Sams and the Missouri Club, both of Bella Vista, Ark. Gale was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Bella Vista, Ark., and a former member of the Anderson United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant brother, Donald Loy Duncan. Gale is survived by his wife of 49 years, Judith Duncan of the home; two sons, Gale Lee Duncan II and wife, Lara, of Bentonville, Ark., and David M. Duncan of Bella Vista, Ark.; one daughter, Sheryl Germeroth and husband, Steve, of Newton, Kan.; three grandchildren, Caila Coop of Emporia, Kan., Laura Duncan of Bella Vista, Ark., and Gale Lee Duncan III of Bentonville, Ark.; a sister, Edna Fern Pyle and husband, Glen, of Dalhart, Texas; a brother, Homer Duncan and wife, Betty, of Millstadt, Ill.; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and countless friends. Funeral services for Mr. Gale Lee Duncan I are 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2012, in the Anderson Chapel of the Ozark Funeral Homes with Bro. Hank Gorman and Pastor Doris Schlessman officiating. Burial will follow in the Peace Valley Cemetery in Anderson. Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are Gale Duncan II, Dave Duncan, Gale Duncan III, Jon Pais, Jerry Pais, Ken Berger, Dave Cline and Matt Pais. Friends may pay their respects on Friday from noon until 9 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with the family receiving friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Memorials are being directed to Crowder College Foundation, Anderson United Methodist Church or the First United Methodist Church in Bella Vista, Ark., and contributions may be left at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.ozarkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Mo.