1939
Clarence
2023
Clarence “Sam” Galen
November 9, 1939 — December 6, 2023
Clarence “Sam” Galen, 84, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2023 at Brickyard Health in Knox. He was born on November 9, 1939 in Chicago, IL to Joseph and Irma (Schwab) Galen.
Sam graduated from Peotone High School in 1958. He married Bonnie Alexa on February 8, 1964 in Matteson, IL. They celebrated 55 years of marriage before Bonnie preceded him in death on May 3, 2019. Working as a Purchasing Manager for 45 years with United Gasket Corporation, Sam retired in 2008.
Known as a man of few words, one of the greatest lessons his children will remember is to “listen more than you speak.” Sam had a unique, quirky personality and had a sarcastic sense of humor. He loved bird watching and learning more about the different species; Orioles were his favorite, and he knew their migration patterns so he could feed them when they were in the area. He also enjoyed fishing, bowling, and drag racing.
Sam will be missed dearly by his children, Robert (Paulette) Galen of Knox and Laura (Kevin) Smith of Tinley Park, IL; grandchildren, Emily (Joey) Cullen, Hannah Galen, and Trent Smith; great-grandchildren, Caleb Cullen and Theo Cullen; and brother, Stanley Galen.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie; parents, Joseph and Irma; and sister-in-law, Shirley Galen.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 11AM-1PM EST at Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth, IN 46563. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow at 1PM EST with Life Celebrant, Jim Smart, officiating.
Memorial contributions in honor of Sam can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087 or to the CLL Society, 1454 Melrose Ave, Suite 1-247, Chula Vista, VA 91911.
Sam graduated from Peotone High School in 1958. He married Bonnie Alexa on February 8, 1964 in Matteson, IL. They celebrated 55 years of marriage before Bonnie preceded him in death on May 3, 2019. Working as a Purchasing Manager for 45 years with United Gasket Corporation, Sam retired in 2008.
Known as a man of few words, one of the greatest lessons his children will remember is to “listen more than you speak.” Sam had a unique, quirky personality and had a sarcastic sense of humor. He loved bird watching and learning more about the different species; Orioles were his favorite, and he knew their migration patterns so he could feed them when they were in the area. He also enjoyed fishing, bowling, and drag racing.
Sam will be missed dearly by his children, Robert (Paulette) Galen of Knox and Laura (Kevin) Smith of Tinley Park, IL; grandchildren, Emily (Joey) Cullen, Hannah Galen, and Trent Smith; great-grandchildren, Caleb Cullen and Theo Cullen; and brother, Stanley Galen.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie; parents, Joseph and Irma; and sister-in-law, Shirley Galen.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 11AM-1PM EST at Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth, IN 46563. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow at 1PM EST with Life Celebrant, Jim Smart, officiating.
Memorial contributions in honor of Sam can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087 or to the CLL Society, 1454 Melrose Ave, Suite 1-247, Chula Vista, VA 91911.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Clarence “Sam” Galen, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Saturday, December 16, 2023
11:00am - 1:00 pm (Eastern time)
Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home
Guestbook
Visits: 7
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