Virgil Melvin Dale

July 5, 1926 – February 26, 2019

Virgil Melvin Dale, age 92 passed away on February 26, 2019. He was born in Chenoa, Illinois to Frank and Neca Dale. The family moved to Decatur, Michigan when Virgil was 1. He grew up on the family farm and was the eldest of 5 children.

In 1942, at age 16 Virgil enlisted in the Merchant Marine’s where he served for 2 years. In 1945 he enlisted in the US Navy and bravely served our country until the end of the war. He served aboard the ships USS Rockbridge and USS Randall in the Pacific and was aboard one of the first ships to enter Tokyo Harbor after Japan’s surrender. He was also aboard one of the ship’s that serviced the Bikini Atoll during the testing of the nuclear weapons. 

In November 1947 he married Patricia Childs in Long Island, NY. They moved back to Decatur, Michigan and raised 3 children. In 1954 Virgil moved his family to Riverside, Ca. where he worked for Hunter Douglas and Alcan Aluminum. He and Patricia were divorced in 1959.

On July 28, 1962 he married Anne Kaercher and became the loving father to daughter Carole.  He worked for Lockheed Propulsion from 1967 to 1977. In 1978 he began his own business and opened Dale’s Grinding Service in Riverside, Ca. He was a member and one-time President of REACT which served the greater Riverside area. In 1988 they moved to Mentone, Ca.

Virgil was a gentle and caring soul. He would be the first one to offer help to his many friends. He was a true outdoor enthusiast who loved fishing with his wife Anne, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Virgil is survived by his daughters Carole Burns (Bud) and Patti, son Steven (Lesley), sister Betty Duda and brother Fred (Missy), grandchildren Scott (April), Tina, Ryan and Bret, and great grandchildren Bethany (Austin), AJ, Cassie and Allison as well as numerous nieces and nephews. His legacy will live on in the values and wisdom that he has passed onto them. He was proceeded in death by his wife Anne, brother Jim, sister Shirley, son Neal and great-grandson Broc.

Interment will be at the Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA. on April 11, 2019 at 10:00 AM where he will join his loving wife Anne for eternity. A Celebration of Life will be held following the graveside services at the Redlands Elks Lodge at 663 New York St, Redland Ca. from 12:00 to 3:00pm.