Dale R. Munson

OGLESBY — Dale Robert Munson, 68, of Oglesby, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by family, on Thursday night, Aug. 2, after a short battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, at Prey-Mueller Funeral Home in Oglesby with Jim Carleton, Department of Illinois Marine Corps League chaplain, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Vincent’s Cemetery in La Salle with full military rites conducted by the La Salle-Oglesby Veterans Memorial Group. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Dale was born Oct. 30, 1949, in Ottawa to Clarence and Wanda (DeMoss) Munson. He married Lorene Hamilton on Oct. 26, 1974, at Holy Family Church in Oglesby. He served in the United States Marine Corps as a computer programmer from 1968 to 1972. Dale retired as a Teamster truck driver after a lifetime of driving.

Throughout Dale’s life, he was very active in the community, serving with the Oglesby Ambulance Service for several years as an EMT. Dale coached softball and Little League baseball teams in Oglesby. He was an active member of the American Legion Post 237, member of the Devil Dogs, the Illinois Valley Marine Corps League Detachment 78 and a longtime member of the La Salle-Oglesby Veterans Memorial group. Dale was presently serving as State Commandant for the Marine Corps League.

Dale enjoyed hitting the open road whenever he could (no matter the weather!) on his Harley-Davidson. Over the last decade, Dale and his wife found a new love of setting sail on several cruises on the open sea. In his retirement, he also found time to take his beloved boxer, Chopper, for a daily walk.

Dale will be remembered for his great work ethic, sense of humor and overall fun-loving attitude. Most importantly, he will be remembered as an amazing husband, father and grandfather.

Survivors include his wife, Lorene; three children, Gwen (Craig) Couch, of Spring Hill, Fla., and Kari (Steve) George and David (Victoria) Munson, both of Peru; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his mother, Wanda Grotti, of Ottawa; his sister, Deb (Tony) Dixon, of Ottawa; his brother, Dan (Lori) Munson, of Oglesby, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Grotti; and an uncle, David Raub.

Pallbearers will be Bill Jones, Russell Hamilton, Heather Johnson, Matt Hamilton, Kris Hamilton and Nikki Hamilton.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a memorial to be established.

The online guest book may be viewed and remembrances shared at MuellerFH.com.

Prey-Mueller Funeral Home

231 W. Walnut St., Oglesby IL 61348

815-883-8662 muellerfh.com