William "Mike" Gallagher

William M. "Mike" Gallagher, 66 of Salem, IA, died Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. There will be no visitation. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Salem South Cemetery with full military honors. Mr. Daryl Coffin will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Salem Fire and Rescue Unit. Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements. The son of William Charles "Buster" Gallagher and Jacquetta Hallie (Weston) Fuger, Mike was born on May 11, 1944, in Oakland, California. He graduated from Mystic High School in Mystic, IA. Following graduation he joined the United States Navy, and served on a helicopter rescue unit during the Viet Nam War. After his service in the Navy, Mike worked construction in Viet Nam. He later worked for Convair and Lockheed Aircraft in the aeronautics division building airplanes for 20 years. He also worked for Cessford Quarry near West Point, IA until his retirement. Mike enjoyed helping friends out by doing odd jobs for them. His hobbies included working puzzles. He was of the Protestant faith. Survivors include one daughter, Janice Riches of Grand Junction, CO; a granddaughter, Jazmine; two sisters, Mary Griffey of Clarksville, IN, and Billie Fortner of Garden Grove, IA; special friends, Deb and Marjorie Wilson of Salem, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Julie Galvan; and two sisters, Judith DeRosa and Jane Hoeker.