Elizabeth "Gale" Castrale, Ph.D., nee Burgess, age 76, of O'Fallon, Ill., born July 16, 1939 in Herrin, Ill., died August 30, 2015 at Cedar Ridge Healthcare Center, Lebanon, Ill.

Gale grew up in Herrin, Ill., and attended Southern Illinois University, where she earned her B.S. in Elementary Education, her M.S. in Educational Administration, and her Ph.D. in Education Administration and Higher Education.

With a strong commitment to learning and teaching, her lengthy teaching career began in 1975 with second graders at Benton, Ill., and continued with elementary students in O'Fallon from 1979-89. Dr. Castrale joined the Faculty of Western Illinois University in Macomb where she taught aspiring teachers and served as Research Coordinator for students. In 1994, she was named Chair of the Department of Educational Administration and Supervision. She retired in 1996.

Among her many honors, Dr. Castrale was recognized as Woman of the Year, once by Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and once by Illinois Women Administrators. She was a member of Phi Delta Kappa (formerly Vice President of Western Chapter), Illinois Principal Assoc., American Association of School Administrators, Illinois/National Association of Professors of Educational Administration, and NEA.

Gale was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. She traveled often with her husband and family, and was an excellent cook, especially traditional Italian dishes. She was a caring wife, mother, and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Grace, nee Rhodes, Burgess; her brother Dr. Jack R. Burgess and sister Rosemary (Thomas) Glenn.

Surviving are her husband of 58 years Remo Castrale, Ph.D., of O'Fallon, son Michael (Mary) Castrale of Lebanon, daughter Sara Beth (Scott) Le Pere, of O'Fallon; grandchildren Devin and Lauren Le Pere of O'Fallon; brothers Joseph D. (Carol) Burgess of Springfield, Ill., and Dr. David L. (Susan) Burgess of Salem, Ill.; brothers-in-law Bob Castrale of Johnston City, Ill., and Steve (Rose) Castrale of Evansville, Ind.; her beloved granddogs Cabo and Cosmo; several nieces and nephews, and dear friends Jane Knight, Carolyn Baziluk, Beverly Griffith, Linda Stickney-Taylor, and Marietta Williams.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Nicholas Catholic Church or Heartland Hospice.

Visitation: Friends may call from 10:00 am – 11:45 am, Thursday, September 3, 2015 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 625 St. Nicholas Dr., O'Fallon.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Noon, September 3, 2015, at the church with Msgr. William J. Hitpas presiding. Burial will follow at O'Fallon City Cemetery.