Gaylard L. Wikle, 88, of Waynesville, IL passed away 11:00 PM, December 20, 2023 at Goldwater Care, Bloomington, IL.

Services will be 1:00 PM Thursday, December 28, 2023 at the Waynesville United Methodist Church, Waynesville, IL with Reverend Becky Barrow, Reverend Steve Barrow, and Reverand Deepak Holkar officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Waynesville, IL with Military Honors. Visitation will be held from 11:30 AM- 1:00 PM Thursday at the church. Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Waynesville Twp. Library.

Gaylard was born May 31, 1935 in Waynesville, IL the son of Lynn and Wealthy (Johnson) Wikle.

Survivors include his cousins, James (Barbara) Johnson, Minier, IL; Steve LaDew, Waynesville, IL; Neal Malone, Springfield, IL; Linda Malone, Belleville, IL; Ben Malone, Lugoff, South Carolina; Susan Benedict, Atlanta, IL, Shelly Brooks, Atlanta, IL and Lori Sato, Byron, GA along with many others.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Gaylard graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State Normal University, Normal, IL in 1957 with a double major in Social Science. He helped to fully integrate the residence halls during the summer of 1954 by accepting Rex Parker, a Negro, as his roommate. In 1956, he was a founder of the ISNU Young Republicans Club.

He started his teaching career in January 1957 at Cissna Park High School, Cissna Park, IL. Gaylard joined the US Army in June 1957 and served two years active service and found years in the Army Reserves. In 1959 he returned to the teaching field that he loved.  He then took a teaching position in Peotone Junior High School, Peotone, IL. He taught American History and Geography to 7^th grade, 1959-1965. In 1965 he transferred to Peotone Elementary School where he served as Assistant Principal and 6^th Grade Math, Science, and Social Studies teacher. During the time he was at Peotone he earned a Masters Degree in School Administration from Illinois State University, Normal, IL.

From 1967-1971 Gaylard was Principal of Thome School, Rock Falls, IL. He also served as the first Assistant Superintendent of Rock Falls Elementary School district 13. From 1971-1973 he was Superintendent of Bartonville Elementary School District 66, Bartonville, IL. Under his leadership the Bartonville School Board signed the first teachers’ union agreement in Peoria County outside the city of Peoria. Gaylard became Superintendent of St. George Elementary School District, Bourbonnais, IL in August 1973 and retired from that position in July 1981. When Mr. Wikle arrived in St. George, the district had been placed on probation by the Illinois State Board of Education. In April 1981, the state board cited the district with 12 commendations. Gaylard also steered the district into the black. When he arrived, the school system at St. George was in debt but it had a balance of more than $140,00.00 when he retired. Innovations during Mr. Wikle’s administration included participation in the state textbook loan program which freed district students from book fees for three years. An overnight trip to Springfield became an annual event for eighth grade students. Gaylard told the board of education that he took the greatest pride in seeing the academic fundamentals taught successfully in elementary school.

Gaylard started working as an Education Specialist for the United States Army in September 1983. He worked at Fort Belvoir, VA and Fort Leonard Wood, MO. During his nine years at Fort Leonard Wood, he was Chief, Staff and Faculty Branch at the Army Engineer School. Gaylard and his staff developed a four-week Interservice Instructor Training Course for the Army, Marines, Air Force, and Navy Engineer personnel who were to become instructors. This was a mandatory course if you were to become an instructor and the course was college accredited. Gaylard retired from government work in April 1997.

Gaylard was active in each of the communities during his teaching and government careers. In Peotone, he was a member of the Peotone Sportsman’s Club and served as its Secretary for several years. He helped coach the Peotone Sportsman Little League traveling team for six years. Mr. Wikle coached the Peotone Elementary School Rebel basketball and softball teams for two years and was President of the Peotone PTA. Gaylard was a member of the Rock Falls Rotary Club, Bartonville Kiwanis Club, Kankakee Order of Moose, the Rolla Missouri Optimist Club and was a life member of the Masonic Lodge. He was an honorary member of the St. George American Legion and the St. George Knights of Columbus. Gaylard was a member of the Waynesville Methodist Church and served on many church committees. He also was president of the Waynesville Township Cemetery Board.

Gaylard lived by his philosophy of 3 F’s:  Fair, Firm, and Friendly.

Gaylard made many friends and touched many lives during his career in public service and will be greatly missed.

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com