Dale R. May, Jr., 87, of Galesburg, died peacefully Thursday, July 23, 2020 at 4:45 p.m. at home with his family by his side.
Dale was born January 13, 1933 in Galesburg, the son of Dale Roy May, Sr. and Georgia Ann Humphrey. At age 5 Dale was place in the Harrington Home until the age of 7 when his grandmother Edith Humphrey took him to raise him. He began working at 8 at Trimble Veterinarian and later worked the drive-in theatre and the Orpheum Theatre. He graduated from GHS in 1951 and served in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict until he was honorably discharged in 1953. Upon returning to Galesburg, Dale went to work at Admiral for 11 years until telling Dee he wanted to join the Galesburg Fire Department. He was hired in 1962. In 1977 Dale became Fire Chief, a position he held until he retired in 1994. During his tenure as chief, he was the voice in opening the fire training center at Hawthorne, which is still in operation today. Dale always felt more education and training were an important aspect to life. A trait he passed on to his children. Dale served as President of the Illinois Fire Chief Association. After his tenure he was selected to travel to Sao Paulo, Brazil to assist in training in their disaster programs. He was also a member of the International Fire Chiefs Association. Dale served as president of the Galesburg Optimist Club as well as being on the Salvation Army Advisory Board and the United Way.
Dale earned three Associate degrees, Fire Safety Technology, Administrative Accounting, and Humanities Social Sciences, all from Carl Sandburg College. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Business Administration from Western Illinois University in 1987. Dale bought and restored a 1917 Robinson historic fire truck.
He married Adelia Ann Lindsey on July 6, 1957 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. They recently celebrated their 63rd anniversary. Along with his wife Dee, Dale is survived by one son, Lindsey (Vicki) May of Galesburg; two daughters, Debbie May-Rickard of Princeton and Mary Kay (Eric) Brock of Knoxville; ten grandchildren, Dena (Adam) Turner, Lindsey (Karen) May, Denise (Adam) Cremer, Justin Rickard, Ashley Rickard, Lacy May, Devin Brock, Cameron Brock, Payton Dale Brock, Eric Brock, Jr.; twelve great grandchildren, Carson, Avery, Alli, Lindsey Austin, Drake, Owen, Alec, Lauren, Tristen, Ava, Josh, and Jackson Dale; one sister, Rosa Fero of East Galesburg; and numerous nieces and nephews. Dale was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; and one brother.
Dale loved his family with his whole heart always wanting to lead by example. He always was worried about them and would do anything for them.
Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 27, 2020 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg, with the rosary being prayed at 7 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing, limited occupancy, and face masks will be encouraged. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Galesburg. Attendance will be limited to family, however, the mass may be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/GBBCatholic/. Father William T. Miller will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorials may be made to the Galesburg Fire Department for the burn camp and the Galesburg Fire Training site; Galesburg Rescue Mission; or OSF Hospice.
