Galen Mahle has always been a man with his feet planted firmly in Southern Illinois soil—both literally and figuratively. Raised on a working farm between Irvington and Centralia, Galen’s roots run deep, not just in the land his family has owned for over 115 years, but in the life lessons learned through hard work, resilience, and an enduring commitment to the community he calls home.

A 1998 graduate of Centralia High School, Galen didn’t just attend the school—he grew up in its orbit. From childhood memories of waiting excitedly for basketball ticket drawings to attending May Fête and school events, CHS was always more than a building. “That place,” he says, “was part of our lives long before we were students.”

When he finally arrived as a student, he dove into the experience headfirst—trying new activities, playing sports, and embracing the ethos he still champions: try it, and see if it fits. “That’s what I tell my kids. You won’t know until you try. And if it’s not for you, that’s okay. But don’t pass up the chance.”

His father passed away when Galen was twelve, a loss that changed his trajectory and shaped the man he would become. “I learned so much from both my parents,” he says, “but especially from watching what my dad struggled with and what my mom carried afterward. She showed us what it meant to give back, to stay engaged, to contribute. She did that as a single mom, and I’ve tried to follow that lead every day since.”

That loss—his father’s death by suicide after serving two tours in Vietnam—left a profound mark. But Galen doesn’t shy away from talking about it. Instead, he uses it as a touchstone for living differently, more openly, and more intentionally. “Everything I do is informed by that loss. I’ve worked hard to build a different kind of life—one where I stay aware, stay honest with myself, and make sure I’m showing up for the people I care about.”

Today, Galen is Centralia’s City Manager, leading a large and complex team responsible for the day-to-day operations of the community. But getting there was no straight line. He worked his way up from the city’s recreation department, took detours through university recreation leadership, spent time in nonprofit management, and served as a trusted public servant at both the municipal and regional levels. His resume reads like a perfectly paced journey—a life built shot-by-shot, each experience preparing him for the next.

Along the way, Galen spent 14 years on the Centralia High School Board, six as president. His insider’s view of the school only deepened his respect for what it means to educate, lead, and serve in a district like CHS. “The school is more than just academics. It’s the beating heart of this town. From the gym to the partnerships, it’s a place that brings people together.”

Married for 20 years to a woman he met through her brother after high school, Galen and his wife recently bought back the farmhouse where he was born. It had been sold after his father’s death, but when the opportunity arose, Galen didn’t hesitate. “I told my wife: it was the first house I ever lived in, and it’s the last one I ever want to live in. And now we’re there.”

They’re raising two sons, one of whom is currently a sophomore at CHS. Their family is blended, resilient, and fully rooted in the same values Galen grew up with: hard work, honesty, and service to others. “When I adopted our oldest, it wasn’t symbolic. It was real. I’ve never treated him as anything but mine. And that’s the only way I know how to live—fully in.”

His days are full now, from infrastructure meetings to community planning to quietly guiding the people who keep Centralia running. And while his schedule is packed and his responsibilities vast, Galen sees every interaction as a chance to serve. “You may be fixing a water line, or helping organize a rec program, or meeting with a frustrated resident. But to that person, that issue is the most important thing in the world. So that’s how we treat it.”

Looking back, Galen admits that as a high school senior, he couldn’t wait to leave Centralia. “I said I was never coming back,” he chuckles. “But life has a way of proving you wrong—in the best possible way.”

He’s come full circle now. Not just geographically, but emotionally, professionally, and personally. What began in the fields between two towns has turned into a life lived in full view of others—a life shaped by service, anchored in family, and lived with heart.