Wayne H Galler

On June 7, 2014, our Lord called to His heavenly home the soul of Wayne H. Galler, 77, of Hot Springs Village, AR, after months of hospitalization and nursing-home care.

Born August 13, 1936, in Medford, WI, Wayne was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Whittlesey, WI, on August 30, 1936, and confirmed there in April of 1950. Through that congregation he met his wife, Caryl nee Schwoch, and they were married there on August 17, 1957. God blessed them with two children, Jayna and Jayson.

Before and after an activation with the 32nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army National Guard during the Berlin Crisis, Wayne worked as an elementary principal, which included helping to pioneer the non‑graded school concept. He culminated his own education with a Ph.D. in Educational Administration at The University of Wisconsin Madison. He spent most of his professional career as a professor at Illinois State University, in Normal, IL, supervising elementary teacher candidates in Peoria, IL. He was a more than 25-year member and officer in Phi Delta Kappa, an international association for professional educators.

Upon retirement, Wayne and Caryl in 1996 moved to Hot Springs Village and became members of Faith Lutheran Church, where Wayne served in various capacities. He volunteered his time with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, including work on their Habitat for Humanity houses. He was also active with Lutheran Braille Workers and the Kiwanis Club of Hot Springs Village, for which he coordinated the Terrific Kids program with Jessieville and Mt. Pine schools.

Wayne loved to camp and travel, visiting all 50 United States. He also was a carpenter and photographer, and he enjoyed flying his ultra‑light, hunting, and fishing. He will be remembered as a faithful Christian; a loving husband, father, and grandfather; and a good friend and neighbor.

Preceded in death by his parents, brother, and sister, Wayne’s survivors include his wife of 57 years, Caryl; his daughter, Jayna Burgdorf, of Austin ,TX; her husband, Barry; their children (Wayne’s grandchildren) Bartyn, Jacy, and Jaclyn; and his son The Rev. Dr. Jayson S. Galler of Kilgore, TX.

Visitation will be at Faith Lutheran Church 9:00 a.m. Thursday, June 12. The funeral service will follow at 10:00 a.m., with entombment afterwards at CedarVale Cemetery. CedarVale Funeral Home is handling the arrangements; an online guest book is available at www.cedarvalefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be given to Faith Lutheran Church and be designated for either the Braille work or the Mexican Mission.