(KNZA)--Former Holton Police Chief Gale " Butch" Gakle is being remembered.

According to an obituary from the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton, Gakle died Friday at Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital at the age of 61.

Gakle retired on March 5 of this year after 40 years with the Holton Police Department--including several stints as chief.  He began his career with the Department in 1980 as a dispatcher before serving as a patrol officer.

The funeral service for Gakle will be held Thursday morning ( November 4) at 10:00 the Evangel United Methodist Church, in Holton.

The family will greet friends Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 at the funeral home.

Among survivors are his wife, Lori, and six children.