Gale G. Balding, 84, of Fairfield, passed away at 2:50pm on Monday, February 2, 2026, at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Marion, IL.

Gale was born on October 11, 1941, in West Salem, IL, to Medford and Vernice (Knust) Balding. On June 25, 1982, he married the love of his life, Sherryl (Powell) Balding.

Gale was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, serving as a 2nd class petty officer and hospital corpsman from 1959-1965, during the Vietnam war. Following the war, he worked as a Lab Technician and then retired from the U.S. postal service, serving as a mail carrier and custodian. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion.

Survivors include his wife Sherryl Balding of Fairfield, his four children, five grandchildren, three great grandchildren, his brothers John (Stella) Balding of Mt. Carmel, IL, and Danny (Mollie) Balding of California, along with many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers Max Balding, Loy Balding, and Ben Balding.

Per Gale's request, his body will be cremated and his remains buried at sea. The family will be having a celebration of life service at a later date. The Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home is in charge of cremation arrangements.