M. Dale Carley, 91 of Watseka passed away on March 15, 2018 at his home. He was born August 14, 1926 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka to Allen F. and Iva D. (Flesher) Carley. He married Mary L. Sodini on August 16, 1951 in Streator, IL and she survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Dr. James A. (Linda) Carley of Pontiac, IL and Steven (Mary) Carley of Crescent City, IL. 9 Grandchildren: Jamie (Rick) Doubet of Pontiac, IL, Dr. Ryan (Dr. Natalie) Carley of Pontiac, IL, Lindsay (Dr. Nick) Buchheit of Lake St. Louis, MO, Dr. Blake (Dr. Alexandra) Carley of Mequon, WI, Dr. Kelsey (Eric) Davis of Pontiac, IL, Tyler Carley and Tristan Carley of Pontiac, IL, Dillon Carley and Cody Carley of Crescent City, IL. Dale also has 14 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and stillborn brother R. Duane Carley.
Dale played baseball for the Chocolate Shop, Hemb & Martin, and the Watseka All-Stars. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He farmed, ran a Wholesale / Retail egg business, and then started in the advertising business in 1965 for C&S Direct Advertising out of Bloomington, IL. On January 1, 1970, Dale started his own company, Carley Advertising Specialties. He continued to work with his son, Steven in the business until his death.
Dale served 10 years on the Iroquois County Board. He was a Charter Member of the Watseka Elks Lodge. He bowled on the Elks team, winning the Illinois State Elks Bowling Championship in 1963. Dale was a member of the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, and St. Edmunds Catholic Church. He was a lifetime member of the Iroquois County Historical Society and the Iroquois Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Dale was a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Bears.
Dale truly loved his family. He enjoyed mowing the grass and spending time at Carley Lake. He enjoyed working in the advertising business and loved his customers.
Visitation will be from 4-7 pm on Thursday March 22, 2018 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka. Funeral services will be on Friday March 23, 2018 at 10:00 am at the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka with Fr. Michael Powell officiating. Burial will be in Flesher Cemetery in Crescent City. Graveside military rites will be conducted by Watseka American Legion Post 23 and Iroquois County VFW Post 7450.
Memorials may be made to Iroquois Memorial Hospice or Watseka Elks Lodge.
