Gale L. Darling

Hastings resident, Gale L. Darling, 90, passed away Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at the Mary Lanning Memorial HealthCare, Hastings. Memorial service will be Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 10:30 am at the All Saints Chapel, Good Samaritan Society, Hastings~Village, with Rev. Charles Johnson and Rev. Barry Rempp officiating. Reception following the service at Hager Hall, GSS. There will be no visitation Gale choose cremation. Apfel Funeral Home; Hastings is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be given to First Congregational, United Church of Christ or to All Saints Chapel, GSS. Gale was born March 6, 1923 in Fremont, NE. He was placed in an orphanage in Council Bluffs, IA as a baby. He was adopted by George and Christine (Flyr) Darling of Hastings, NE in 1924 and lived in Hastings until 5 years old when his parents moved to Harvard, NE. He entered Harvard Public School in September 1928 and graduated from Harvard High School in 1941. In July 1941 he entered the Civilian Conservation Corps. In the spring of 1942 he worked on the Union Pacific Railroad and later on the Burlington Railroad. In the fall of 1942 he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force, attending several service Schools. He became a flight engineer and top turret gunner on B-17 Flying Fortress. He went to England in 1944 and was stationed at a Base of one of the many groups of the 8th Air Force. He flew 32 missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. After his discharge he remained in the Army Air Force Reserves and after one year was called back to duty in the Korean Conflict and was assigned to Lowry Field in Denver, CO for one year. Returning home he worked and farmed in the Harvard area. In 1954 he worked for W.A. McCune truck line in Harvard. In December 1955 Gale married Elaine LaFrenz of Center, NE. In 1956 he was employed at the ASC office in Clay Center, NE, as office manager. In 1964 he began working at Farmland Industries Nitrogen Plant and retired in 1983. Gale and Elaine had been married 57 years. He held membership in Harvard Masonic Lodge #44, was past Master and holder of the Jordan Medal. He also was a past member of the Order of the Eastern Star and was past Worthy Patron of Harvard Chapter #70. Other memberships included Veterans of Foreign Wars #1151 of Creighton, NE and the American Legion Post #11 in Hastings, NE. Gale was also a member of the United Church of Christ in Hastings. He is survived by his wife Elaine, of Hastings, NE, sister-in-law, Jean (Bill) Stokes of Creighton, NE, grandnephew Bradly (Susan) Stokes and children. Allison and Caroline of Fredrick, Maryland. He was preceded in death by his parents and a grand nephew, Matthew Stokes.