Dale M. Bayles' Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Dale Morton Bayles, age 98 of Charleston, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 while at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. Visitation for family and friends will be held Saturday, March 28, 2015 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Funeral Services honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 11:00 a.m., immediately following the visitation, with Reverend Jan Hawkins officiating and with Military Rites conducted by the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592. A Private Inurnment will be in Roselawn Cemetery. It is requested that thoughtful donations in his honor be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to the First Presbyterian Church in Charleston. Gifts may be left on the memorial table during the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Dale was born on May 11, 1916 at his family's home located at 8 Washington Street in Charleston, a son of the late Ross and Zola (Rogers) Bayles. He married Elisabeth Widger on June 4, 1939 and they celebrated 56 years of marriage prior to her death on March 18, 1996. He is survived by three children, Rick Bayles and wife Phyllis, Patricia Burrus and Clyde, and Douglas Bayles and wife Jenn, all of Charleston; 6 grandchildren, Melanie (Dennis) Groth, Michele Ress, Jeff (Kelly) Johnson, Jennifer McCoy, Mandy Bayles, Reverend Scott (Ashley) Bayles; 9 great-grandchildren, Joe and Elizabeth Groth, Jake and Max Johnson, Aaron and Phoenix Ayers, and Yeshua, Sarai and Abby Bayles; and 4 great-great-grandchildren, Elisabeth and Toby Bayles, and Aarow and Nova Ayers. He was also preceded in death by a son, Michael Bayles and a brother, Harry Bayles. Following high school, Dale attended Eastern Illinois University for two years, 1936-1938. In 1938 he embarked on a career choice in the clothing business that would span the next 43 years. He and Frank Cavins established a partnership and Cavins & Bayles Clothiers went on to become a successful clothing business for years to come. Cavins and Bayles employed hundreds of E.I.U. students throughout the years and later Dale became sole owner of Dale Bayles on Campus. His career choice suited him well as he was always fashionably and impeccably dressed. Dale's career in the clothing business was interrupted from July of 1945 until September of 1946, during which time he faithfully and honorably served his country with the United States Army. Throughout the years Dale remained a patriot and was grateful for all the men and women serving our country and protecting our freedoms.Dale was a leader in the Charleston community. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Charleston and served on several boards which included Charleston Federal Savings & Loan and the Charleston Hospital. Dale was a member and Past President of the Charleston Kiwanis Club and one of the founding members of the Charleston Boat Club. He was a member of the Investment Club, held an interest in photography and was a member of the Camera Club, and his love for golf prompted his membership at the Charleston Country Club. It is noteworthy to mention that Dale's first and only hole-in-one was on the seventeenth hole at the Charleston Country Club at the age of 89! The word "stranger" was not recognized in Dale's vocabulary. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and his friendly and outgoing personality made others feel comfortable in his presence. He was also quite the prankster and his sense of humor and never ending smile earned him the fitting title of "The Jolly Haberdasher" . Dale's family was near and dear to him. He and Elisabeth loved to dance - they made quite the pair and complemented one another on and off the dance floor. He was a wonderful father whose loving devotion, work ethic, and attitude toward others, earned him the love and respect of his children. Dale loved his grandchildren dearly and they were especially fond of him, affectionately referring to him as "Deedo" . Dale Bayles was truly a gentleman whose qualities of honesty and integrity and his passion for helping others made him worthy of the respect and admiration of his family, his friends and his community.Click to view Dale's memorial video.
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