Gale E. Wurster of Hermitage, formerly of Oil City, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 22, 2016, while vacationing in California. He was 75.

Mr. Wurster was born April 19, 1941, in Oil City, a son of Floyd and Cora (Wagner) Wurster. He was a 1959 graduate of Oil City High School and served with the U.S. Army Reserves.

Gale began a banking career immediately following high school that spanned 47 years. He was employed for 32 years by the former Northwest Bank and Trust Co., Oil City, which later became Mellon Bank North, as a Sr. Vice-President until 1991. He then worked for FNB of PA, Hermitage, for 15 years and retired in 2006 as an Executive Vice-President. Gale took numerous banking courses throughout his career, including the Mellon Commercial Credit training program, and was well regarded in the banking industry.

Following his retirement, Gale enjoyed golfing at Avalon Golf and Country Club and traveling around the country visiting family and going to car shows. One of his more memorable trips was when he and his wife took an impromptu trip for two months driving across the country in their Corvette convertible. While living in Oil City, Gale was known by many as "Dewey" and was active with the Jaycee's and the Venango County Industrial Development Corp. (VCIDC) where he served as its president in 1987 and 1988. He also enjoyed playing in the Oil City Men's Softball League for many years.

Gale was a member of the Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, and a former member of St. Stephen's Church in Oil City. He was a member of the former Sharon Country Club, where he served on its board of directors, and the Avalon at Buhl Golf and Country Club. Gale will be remembered by many as a soft-spoken gentleman who was extremely loyal in all of his endeavors.

Surviving are: his wife of 40 years, the former Pamela Barr, whom he married June 16, 1976; three children, Julie A. Old and her husband David, Irvine, CA; Jeffrey A. Wurster, Hermitage; and Jami K. Wurster and her fiancé Steve Sumner, Oil City; three step-children, J. Scott Womer, Hermitage; Randall P. Womer and his wife Erin, Parrish, FL; and Gregory T. Womer and his wife Diane, Indian Trail, NC; seven grandchildren whom he adored, Jackson and Lucas Old; and Tyler, Ryan, Gunner, Maddie and Carson Womer; and two nephews, Jay and Jerry Wurster.

Gale was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Geraldine "Sis" Wurster; and a brother, Junior Wurster and his wife Mildred.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Joshua's Haven, 205 Bank PL, Sharon, PA 16146; or Boys Town National Headquarters, 200 Flanagan Blvd., P.O. Box 8000, Boys Town, NE 68010 www.boystown.org.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2016, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Funeral Mass will be noon Wednesday, August 31, 2016, in the Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, with the Rev. Jeffery J. Noble, pastor, as celebrant.

Entombment: Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, Oil City, PA.