Dale Gillings
September 27, 1924 - December 26, 2014
Obituary
MIDDLETON-Dale N. Gillings, age 90, passed away on Friday, Dec. 26, 2014. He was born on Sept. 27, 1924, in rural South Dakota, the son of Earl Richard and Bertha Marie (Dimick) Gillings. Dale graduated from Platte High School in May of 1942 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Aug. 28, 1942. He served two tours in the Pacific Theatre, earning the Air Medal with two gold stars for heroism and the Navy Distinguished Flying Cross. Dale was discharged November 21, 1945. He married Joanne Machotka on Dec. 15, 1945. Together they had four children. He worked for 39 ½ years at Oscar Mayer Foods in Madison in the Traffic and Transportation Dept. Dale was an active member of the Middleton Ionic Lodge No. 180 F. & A. M. for 55 plus years. He was also a member of the Melody Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star rising to the office of Worthy Grand Patron for the State of Wisconsin. Dale is survived by his children, Paul (Cheryl) of Rapid City, S.D., David (Ilona) of Boca Raton, Fla., Mark of Depew, N.Y., and son-in-law, A. Waller Hastings of Wheeling, W.V.; nine grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Joanne on Sept. 12, 1994; daughter, Suzanne Hastings on November 17, 1999; his brother Carl and his sister Mabel Smith. A Memorial service will be held at MIDDLETON COMMUNITY CHURCH UCC, 645 Schewe Road, Middleton at 10 AM on Saturday, January 3, 2015 with the Reverend James Iliff presiding. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Avenue, Middleton from 4 PM until 6 PM on Friday, January 2, 2015, where a Masonic service will begin at 6 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wisconsin Eastern Star Foundation, 36275 Sunset Dr., Dousman, WI 53118, or Middleton Community Church. On-line condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Avenue
(608)831-6761
Events
Service
Sat Jan 3, 2015 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Middleton Community United Church of Christ • 645 Schewe Road, Middleton, WI 53562
Photos
Memories
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Larry Landgraf
Other •
It was Dale who invited me to join him and friends to the Middleton breakfast club which meets once a month at Sopras. We shall miss him but now he is with his wife. We are long time members of the Middleton Community Church so knew Dale and his wife Joan (?") many years. Larry Landgraf.
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Alden Gillings
Other •
A note of sympathy to Dave, Mark and Paul Gillings from Alden Gillings a cousin of your father Dale.
Thank you Dave for your call yesterday even though it was sad news about your father. The last time I saw Dale was at a family reunion they were having in the Black Hills of South Dakota some time in the 1980s.
I grew up close to where your dad grew up, our farms were about two and a half miles apart and we went to the same one room school a mile north of our farm. My first year was in 1936 and the school was all Gillings, me and five of my brothers and three cousins, Carl, Dale and Mable. I have many fond memories of those times long ago. We were so lucky to grow up on a farm.
By the way, my first grade teacher, 'Leotta (Konechne) Doering', is still living. She is in a Nursing Home in California. I found that out a few years ago when one of her nephews contacted me after seeing a story I had sent to Country Magazine about a very bad blizzard that year that could have killed everyone at the school. I got a nice Christmas letter from her 2 years ago but not last year.
Well I guess I've rattled on enough, that sure is a good picture of your dad. Just the way I remember him.
One of your Dakota Gillings family,
Alden Gillings
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Joseph Gillings
Other •
My sincere condolence to Paul,Dave and Mark Gillings and Familys, from a So.Dak. cousin of your father. May peace be with you. Take care Joseph Gillings And Family
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Earl Gillings
Other •
Paul, Dave, Mark and families,
Words can't really express how truly sorry I am that your dad (my uncle) has passed. You are all in our prayers. Take care.
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Cindy (Smith) Oswald
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I am saddened to hear of Uncle Dale's passing. He and my Aunt Joanne raised four loving children -- Paul, Dave, Mark, & Suzie -- my prayers are with their families as they cherish the memories he left them. I remember he would call my mother Mabel "Sis". Dale was away in the service when my mother graduated from high school. Dale sent home money to purchase her graduation gift - a cedar chest I have to this day. I've included an early photograph (1928) of Carl, Mabel Marie, & Dale Gillings. The family portrait shows Earl Richard Gillings & Bertha Lucinda (Dimick) Gillings, their children Carl, Mabel, & Dale (left to right). Rest in Peace.
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Tonya Walters
Other •
Gillings family, I met Dale a few times. Paul (my step-dad) told me wonderful stories about him. All of you have great memories of Dale. (As I read this page) There are times you will laugh shake your head and say "That is what Dale would do, or say" keep all the memories strong!