Gale Mitchell Karam

Gale Mitchell Karam, age 83, retired Toledo Police officer, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2024, at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center. The grandson of four Lebanese immigrants, Gale was born on February 17, 1941, to Mitchell & Alice (Genite) Karam in Toledo, Ohio. He attended McKinley Elementary and DeVilbiss High School. A Veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Gale was appointed to the Toledo Police Department on January 13, 1967. He began as a patrolman, who later trained as a member of the first SWAT team in Toledo Police history, retiring as a Detective on April 23, 1992. Gale was especially proud of his family heritage. In his youth, he served as an altar boy at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church. Gale was Secretary of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 040 and served on the Board of the Toledo Police Museum. This year's Toledo Police Museum Cops and Rodders Car Show was dedicated to Gale. He was both Past President and, most recently, Chaplain of Toledo Police Retirees. Gale was also Past Commander and Chaplain of the American Legion Post 512 and a member of the Forty and Eight Society. He was a member of the Kirby Club and the NRA. He had a charismatic personality, and a great sense of humor, a generous and caring nature that endeared him to many. Gale will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Gale was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Connie Wilhelm Karam; son, Jeffrey Karam; brother, Richard Karam; stepson, David Bihn; and mother of his children, Janice Gailliot Eberle. He is survived by his son, Michael Karam; daughter-in-law, Mindy Karam; step-daughter, Kelly (David) Kane; beloved grandchildren, Nicholas, Sarah, Eric, Thomas, and Isaiah Karam; step-grandchildren, Justin, Kaitlin, and Kirstin Kane; sister-in-law, Shirley Karam; niece, Denise (David) Krupp; nephew, Steven (Tiffany) Karam; special cousin, Joyce Karam; special friend, Diane Harmon; and many more loving family members. Friends may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. on Friday, June 21st from 3:00-7:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will begin at 7:00 p.m. with Pastor Rupert Loyd presiding and a presentation by the Fraternal Order of Police. Memorial donations may be given to the ALS Association or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Please view and sign our online "guest registry" at CoyleFuneralHome.com Memory Eternal.

Gale Mitchell Karam

February 17, 1941 - June 6, 2024