Too many stories to tell in a short letter, a lifetime of memories and good times that were shared, fishing stories some of them true, baseball and basketball stories, stories of grade school and high school good times, double dating, when you married Barb and I married Joda, when we had our children and shared those good times, also some hard times we shared. You were always there when I needed you. Thank you for every thing.  Find a good fishing hole, see you soon.


Too many stories to tell in a short letter, a lifetime of memories and good times that were shared, fishing stories some of them true, baseball and basketball stories, stories of grade school and high school good times, double ding, when you married Barb and I married Joda, when we had our children and shared those good times, also some hard times we shared. You were always there when I needed you. Thank you for every thing.  Find a good fishing hole, see you soon.


I have fond memories of my times in the barber chair and Dales efforts to be on the cutting edge of technology and style. His stop bys and visits with my father when he was out in the yard. 
I recall a story my dad told of Dale and him working at the bus garage installing a drain pipe. Since the building was already up most of the work was to be by hand because it was before they had backhoes to do the work. But when Dale's dad came to check on them they had the work done. As my dad told they had used their larger ditcher with the tracks and steel front wheels. They dug the trench from one end to the other and ran the front of the machine right up to the other end wall and used their Cat and dragged the front of the machine around sideways and drove it out. They were done in a half day that was planned to be full day.

As a member of the Minooka Fire Department I respect and honor his contributions to the people of our community. I remember reading back through the minutes of meetings and saw him name mentioned often. Though Dale had moved on prior to my time with the department, I think he had contributed  more than 30 years. I also know that his father had gave to the department and we have a picture of his father in our first truck at the station, and that he had helped pick up and deliver our second truck using his flat bed semi.

My faith assures me that Dale is in a better place and we will all strive to join him when the good lord calls upon us. Our prayers are for you the family that you find strength and piece.


Dear Barb, Julie, Tim, Heather and boys, Allan, and Christopher,
I was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Dale.  I remember walking up to the barber shop for a little visit and his persuit of the perfect lawn and best tomato!  He will be missed.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this sad time.
Sincerely,
Shelley Boyer Dailey and family

Julie,

My deepest sympathy to you and your family.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Laura & Ashley

Reading the tributes brought back numerous memories of growing up in Minooka in the 50's and 60's.  I too, was at the baseball game in Manhattan and had the opportunity to watch the giant gazelle romp around the bases.  I think maybe I was partially responsible for his speed on the base path.  When the town team practiced on Monday nights, kids would be there to help shag baseballs.  Dale was afraid of snakes.  We kids thought it was great fun to catch a garter snake and chase him around the baseball field, consequently improving his base path running and agility. I heard first hand from my mom and dad, his coach, about what a great athlete Dale was.  I remember working for C. Thompson and Sons in high school and laying field tile behind his Dad's Buckeye ditching machine.   I had the opportunity to spend many afternoons in the back room behind Dale's barber shop playing pool.  And finally who can forget the basketball game at Morris, where rumor has it (I was there but too young to remember), he dropped kicked the basketball into the stands causing quite a ruckus to ensue.  

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and he will be missed.


We were saddened to hear of Dale's passing. He did alot in his lifetime and was able to enjoy his beloved golfing even through his illness.  You are all in our thoughts.
Pat, Linda, Neil, and Darren

DEAR BARB AND FAMILY,
     JIM AND I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR DEEPEST
     SYMPATHY TO YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN.

                     SINCERELY,
                     JUDY AND JIM MCGUIRE


                     

I was very sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers and thoughts will be with you and may God Bless you.

We are sorry we will not be able to attend the funeral, but wanted to express our sympathy on the loss of Dale.  We have many happy memories of being at your house in Minooka and also Pekin after you first moved there.  Dale always made us feel welcome.  We will be thinking of you all in the days ahead.  Love, Kelly & Scott

Our families have many shared memories===some happy, some sad, and many funny ones. Dale was proud of his garden and enjoyed sharing the harvest in unique ways. One time, when I went to the clothesline to take my laundry down, I found two tomatoes in my bra! Such generosity.

We heard from Dave Dorick that Dale was the best basketball player that Dave had run across in his coaching career.  'Didn't hear it from Dale.

We will certainly miss Dale, and our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We know he loved his family, especially the grandkids, and he knew he was loved. That is a life well-lived.

Barb and Family, So sorry to hear about Dale's passing. He was a great guy and will be sadly missed. We will always remember his smile. Your in our thoughts and prayers. with our deepest sympathy, Dan and Dee

Growing up in Minooka in the 1950's Dale was the best pitcher on the town baseball team and our hero. He could throw hard, real hard and he threw alot of strikes. Most catchers had a sponge inside their mitt when they caught Dale. While he was a heck of a pitcher he didn't bat too high in the order as I remember it. But there was a game in Manhatten, a tournament game, when Dale came up in the last inning with the score tied. The ball field didn't really have a fence but the whole park did so it was about 600 feet to dead centerfield. That is where Dale hit it. It bounced off the fence back into the playing field. Longest hit ball I ever saw before or since. Seeing Dale run was inspiring, it really was. He looked like a tall one-masted schooner gliding to first, then second, and on to third. It appeared that as he got to third the air must have gotten thin because his gate lost its rhythm. Half way to home he stumbled, tripped, and fell about 20 feet from home. It was a dry year that summer. The cloud of dust Dale unleashed was magnificent, it was impressive, it was 15 feet in all directions. Into that dust bowl ran Babe Todd who helped Dale (the winning run) up and aided his progress to the plate where they both beat the throw from center by at least a second. Dale was the absolute dirtiest hero I have ever seen. When he regained his breath he was his old affable humble self and promised to never run that far again unless someone was chasing him. We are truly sorry to hear of his passing. Also, I haven't got a good haircut since He left town.

Last summer I walked over to say hi to your dad while he was sitting in your garage. I asked him about his health, and he was rather upbeat, though admitting some aches and pains here and there. I especially remember talking about your boys, and he commented positively about each boy as well. I was impressed at what a gentleman your dad was, and I could see the good legacy he passed along to you. You will be in our prayers this weekend. 

Sorry to hear of the loss of our friend DALE.  He will be greatly missed.  Our prayers are with the family.   

Barb,Julie, Tim, Allen & Chris
   My Heart & Prayers go out to you in the loss of a good man. Julie I'm Here if you need me. All our love Debbie & Kids

To the Thompson Family,
     I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care..
Pat 

Barb and family,

I am so sorry to read of Dale's passing.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  I have such fond memories of growing up in our neighborhood.  I'll never forget the nights in the treehouse or spinning in the barber chair in the basement--and of course, sharing kringlas covered with butter!

Barb and family,

David and I were so sad to hear about your loss. You are all in our prayers.

Lana and Dave

He was a joy to golf with and always hit it good!  With either a golf club or fishing rod he was a pleasure to be with.

Our deepest synpathy to Barb and family.
Dick and Liz

We will truly miss you and your golf stories at our family get-togethers.

Our prayers and thoughts are with you in the coming days and weeks.

  We are so sorry to hear of Dale's passing and want you to know you all have our deepest sympathy. Our Dear Lord knows best when to call us home even though it is so hard to bid farewell. We pray that time will take away some of the sorrow and the new life you now have will get better soon.  We will miss seeing him practice his golf swing and walking the neighborhood. Wishing God's comfort to all of you,  Joycelyn Scheeler and Family at 1109 Shire.

We pray that God supports you during this most difficult time in your lives.  Our prayers are with all of you.

Dale will be truly missed.
Our prayers are with you and your family. 

Thompsons were my childhood neighbors. In my memories,I always see Dale like Mr. Wilson from "Home Improvement" peering over our 6 foot fence or peeking into the Thompson's treehouse with only the top half of his face showing. He was a very, very good neighbor...always there when you need a hand, whether it was an emergency like when my room caught on fire, or just an extra hand with a chore like closing the pool every fall, Dale was always willing to help.

To Thompson Family,
Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to the entire Thompson Family on the passing of your Husband, Brother, Father and Grandfater.  I pray the Lord will comfort you and your family in this time of need.  

OBITUARY

Dale E Thompson

February 3, 1932 – February 3, 2009

Preston-Hanley Funeral Home & Crematory

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