Melvin P. Dale

Melvin Phillip Dale, age 83, passed away Friday, September 5, 2014, at University Hospital in Columbia. He was born November 10, 1930, in Mapleton, Iowa to Elmer and Edna Dale. After graduating from Castena High School in 1948, he went to work for local businesses. To serve his country, Melvin enlisted in the United States Air Force and on his 20th birthday he was on a troop ship in the English Channel to fulfill his patriotic service during the Korean War. His parents, tired of the drought in Iowa, bought a farm in Stover, where Melvin settled after receiving his honorable discharge from the Air Force. In February of 1955, he married LeAnne Alpers and to this union three children were born, Rita Sidebottom and her children Stephanie and Casey Cochran, children Colby, Camren, Keaton & Kalysa and Gregg and Sharon Sidebottom, children Gabby, Wyatt & Waylon; Kenny and Beth Dale and their sons, Asher and Ana Dale, daughter Lily and Jesse and Katy Dale; and Tom and Lora Dale and their sons Jeremiah Dale, daughters Gracie & Mia and Isaiah Dale all of Stover. On September 1, 2001, he married Vi Phillips Dale who survives at their home. Vi's children include Jamy and Erin Phillips, children J, Chase & Cameron of O'Fallon; Jermy and Katie Phillips, sons Kolten & Jarrett of Cole Camp; and Katy Phillips and fiancé Chad Schlesselman of Stover. Having grown up during the Depression era, Melvin was taught the important value of helping your neighbors and fellow man. Service by helping other people became the core of Melvin P. Dale. At an early age he managed the Stover MFA, owned and operated his own gas station and at one time co-owned The Cree-Me with Dean and Virginia Hodges. No stranger to farm life, Melvin also farmed and baled hay. With service still being his driving force, he became a rural mail carrier. Creating and serving the Ivy Bend area, Melvin made a multitude of friends. Always prepared, he would run his route with three spare tires; a good day was when he only had to use two. Patrons tell the story that you could set your clock by Melvin Dale, so much so, that during the winter months you had better just get off the road and stay out of his way, because nothing was going to keep him from being on time. In 1991, after many years of looking for better ways to serve his patrons, Melvin retired from the US Postal Service. In 2000, his wife introduced him to the world of quilting and knew she found the perfect partner when the customers, usually women, would request to speak with Melvin. At the time of his death they were still co-owners of Stover Quality Quilting. He was a 60 year member of the Stover Lions Club, serving as President and currently as Treasurer. He had served as Past District Governor and received many honorary and prestigious awards. The International Lions Club motto is "We Serve" and serve he did. One of his greatest joys was when he was able to sponsor his grandson, Jesse Dale, as a new member of the Stover Lions Club. Melvin was a 50 year member of Galloway-Martens American Legion Post 343 in Stover, serving as Adjutant for many years and held the privilege of serving in the honor guard. He also served for many years on the Stover Fair Board, Stover Chamber of Commerce, ran the Legion Cook Stand at the Stover Fair, donated more than 130 pints of blood to the American Red Cross and cooked for many-a fish fry. In 1955, Melvin was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Stover, where he had been an active member and even ended up teaching Sunday School for 28 years after volunteering to substitute one Sunday. He was currently an active member of the Stover United Methodist Church, serving as finance chairman and helping with the annual church BBQ. His greatest hobby was crappie fishing, and he could out-fish just about everyone. He also loved old country music; singing those tunes at many different occasions. His recall for songs was amazing and there were very few songs Melvin could not sing at least one verse from. He also enjoyed his garden, his lawn, hunting, Christmas decorations and most importantly, his family. He is also survived by one sister, Susan Dirgo, along with other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Delbert, one sister, Pauline and Vi's daughter, Krysty. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 8, at the Stover United Methodist Church with Pastor Diane Cutler officiating. Interment, with military funeral honors, will be in the Stover Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Sunday, September 7, at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Stover with a Prayer Service at 5:00 p.m. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Stover Lions Club, Galloway-Martens American Legion Post 343 or the Stover United Methodist Church.

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