McALEXANDER, Dale Dean
MCALEXANDER, PADDOCK, BAKER, RUEPKE, DRYER, SCHNAENBERG, RAMUREZ, SAVICH
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/13/2018 at 12:21:26
Leon Journal-Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
Thursday, October 26, 2017Dale Dean McAlexander
December 16, 1932 ~ October 18, 2017Dale Dean McAlexander was born to Riley and Ora (Paddock) McAlexander December 16, 1932, at Malvern, Iowa. He was the youngest of six children. He next lived at Thurman, Iowa and after the family was again flooded from their farm, his dad said they were going to “head to the hills” and moved to Beaconsfield, Iowa when Dale was in 3rd grade. He graduated from Beaconsfield High School in 1950. Then he began farming with his dad and brother but in December of 1952, he joined the U.S. Air Force serving from bases in Georgia and twice in Japan during the Korean War.
He met his future wife, Joy Ann Baker, on a blind date in 1952; they were married at LeRoy Presbyterian Church on November 21, 1953. Joy Ann moved to Georgia, too, but each time Dale was sent to Japan she returned to employment in Iowa. In January 1956, they returned to Iowa to begin farming in Decatur County on the farm, which became a six generation farm where their children Greg, Doug, and Dee were born. They retired and moved into Humeston in 2000.
Dale was an avid sports participant and fan of any and all “ball” games. His high school days were basketball, baseball, and roller skating. He continued playing basketball on Beaconsfield town team (which was mostly McAlexanders) after graduation and enjoyed telling his grandchildren about the time they defeated Northwest Missouri State College in a basketball tournament.
Dale was a 4-H Leader and also served on County Extension Council and the Decatur County Fair Board. He joined LeRoy Presbyterian Church and served as Trustee, Elder, and Youth Leader, as well as United Trinity Parish Council. The family was Triple R Saddle Club members and participated in competition in all surrounding towns and special events at the Iowa State Fair. Dale served six years on the Mormon Trail School Board, was a 50-year member of Masonic Lodge, and he and Joy were members of two square dance clubs. A gift of used golf clubs in lieu of a rent payment began Dale & Joy’s years at Lakeside Golf Club, which Dale enjoyed into his 80’s. He served as a golf club board member and rarely missed the Humeston coffee drinker’s club each morning and evening.
Dale is survived by Joy, his wife of 63 years; three children Greg and Kathy McAlexander of Liberty, Missouri, Douglas McAlexander of Humeston, and Dee and Ron Ruepke of Adel, Iowa; nine grandchildren, Stacy and Kent Dryer, Kurt and Amy Ruepke, Andrea and Trent Schnakenberg, Kristopher and Leanne Ruepke, David and Cortney McAlexander, Josh McAlexander and Jordan Shankland, Rebekah McAlexander and Alex Ramirez, Kelly Ruepke, and Ben McAlexander; 17 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Kenneth and Virginia McAlexander and Eugene and Esther McAlexander, all of Beaconsfield, Iowa; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Carl and Marjorie McAlexander and Robert and LaVara McAlexander; sister, Naomi and Don Johnston; sister-in-law, Jan and Dr. Jim Dolan; granddaughter, Samantha McAlexander; and step-grandchildren, Douglas Savich and Sarah McAlexander.
Funeral services will held at the Humeston Christian United Methodist Church in Humeston, Iowa at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 23, 2017, with Rev. Kristin Wolf officiating. Burial will be in the Humeston Cemetery, Humeston, Iowa. Arrangements were through the Slade - O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa.
A Memorial fund has been established by the Family.
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2017
Ringgold Obituaries maintained by Tony Mercer.
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