Dale Lee McPhearson

March 24, 2018

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Dale Lee McPhearson, 79, a resident of Frankfort, passed away March 24, 2018 at his home. Dale was born April 13,1938, in Elwood, Indiana, to Paul and Lucile (McClughen) McPhearson.

He married Barbara Thomas on October 13, 1957 and she preceded him in death on June 10, 2014.

He spent his earlier years in Orange County and then moved to Frankfort, attended Frankfort High School with the graduating class of 1955.  He attended Purdue University.

He and his wife Barbara traveled together for twenty years to most of his US Navy duty stations.  Dale served at several land bases and on intelligence ships for the US Naval Security Group as a Master Chief Cryptologic Technician.  His subsequent employment was for 23 years with the (A.E. Staley Co.) Tate & Lyle Company, Lafayette, IN as an instrumentation technician.  He was a lifetime member of the VFW, was an active member of the INDY Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club and was an avid Studebaker collector.  He enjoyed oil painting, was a cartoonist, was a writer of fiction and his articles were published in car magazines.

Visitation and Services

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S Main St., Frankfort. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Green Lawn Memorial Park Honor Section. Memorial Donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 300 W. Washington St., Frankfort, IN 46041.

Survived by:

2 Daughters: Heather Dawn (Roush) Mathews of Colfax, Ind., Colleen Rae McPhearson (Dan Bohlen) of Ellettsville, Ind., 2 Sons: Thomas Paul (Lory) McPhearson of Frankfort, Ind., Barry Dean McPhearson of Indianapolis, Ind., Brother: Charles McPhearson of Frankfort, Ind., Sister: Trudy (Richard) Click of Brownsburg, Ind. Five grandchildren and two great grandchildren also survive.

Preceded by:

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his older brother, Paul Donald McPhearson.

Memorial Video

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Condolences

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16 Condolences for “Dale Lee McPhearson”

  1. Larry McCoy March 25, 2018 at 4:09 pm

    My condolences to the McPhearson family. Dale and I were in the FHS class of 1955. I remember how calm and polite he was. At class reunions, he was easy going and welcoming to everyone, especially it seemed to those who had moved miles away from our hometown.

    Reply
  2. Bob Palma March 25, 2018 at 4:38 pm

    All good wishes to, and prayers for, Heather, Colleen, Tom, Barry, and families.
    Dale was as fine a friend as there ever was; an unusually talented man with a quick wit and an incredible intellect. He was nothing short of a mechanical genius.
    God speed, Dale; Rest in Peace.
    ‘See you all soon, kids. It was an honor and a privilege to know your Dad.
    All our best. Bob & Cari Palma

    Reply
  3. Jim Ulm March 25, 2018 at 5:06 pm

    As classmate of Dale’s I recall our comparing military careers.

    Reply
  4. Joyce Jacobs March 25, 2018 at 5:43 pm

    Dale was such a special man that I got to know while taking my mom to dialysis. I always enjoyed talking with him. He will be missed.
    Thoughts and prayers to his family

    Reply
  5. John Kern March 25, 2018 at 6:27 pm

    We are very sad to here about Dales passing. From one proud sailor to another ”Anchors Aweigh My Boy”. Fair Winds and Following Seas my friend.
    John Kern and Family

    Reply
  6. Frank Starr March 26, 2018 at 8:15 am

    My deepest sympathy to Dale’s family. I enjoyed seeing him again at a reunion of our high school class (1955) and remember him as someone I wish I had known better in our later years.

    Reply
  7. Ron & Erilda Coleman March 26, 2018 at 8:16 am

    Dear Family,
    So sorry to hear of the passing of your Father. Sending prayers of comfort & peace as you release your him. May you find strength in knowing many are covering you in prayer. Know you will miss him. Dale was a humorist guy to have had the pleasure to work with at Staley. God Bless

    Reply
  8. Dick Ogden March 26, 2018 at 10:09 am

    My deepest sympathy to the family. I was a classmate of Dale’s, and I remember the good times we had at Frankfort High. I knew both Dale and his brother, Paul. They were both wonderful friends and we played basketball together. At one of the last class reunions, Dale told me he fondly remembered coming to my house when we were kids and playing Monopoly. I remember Dale coming to my house, but I sadly don’t remember the Monopoly games. We lost contact after graduation but reunited at our class reunions. He was on my prayer list for several years. I know he is in a better place now and isn’t suffering any longer.

    Reply
  9. George (Bill) Graves March 26, 2018 at 11:20 am

    My condolences to the McPhearson family. Dale and I would often meet while attending Purdue University together in 1955-56, and though we both resisted the student role, we often shared a ride back to Frankfort on the weekend. On the spur of the moment, we both decided to join the US Navy at the same time back in June 1956. I remember boarding the train in Indianapolis with a group of other young Indiana recruits…next stop was boot camp in Bainbridge, MD. Dale and I were separated into different companies there, but often got to chat at meal time at the large central mess hall. After Bainbridge, Dale and I were sent in different directions. But when on leave, I would sometimes be picked up by a big black Studebaker and shown all the new developments in Frankfort. Eventually, Dale went into the Cryptology Field, and I to Surface Warfare, and we were seldom in the same part of the world. He was a good friend, and will be sorely missed.

    Reply
  10. Diane & Dave Elmore March 26, 2018 at 2:35 pm

    Our condolences to the whole family. Your Dad and Mom were truly ambassadors for Studebaker. They were both unique in that they used their Studebaker as daily drivers. What an absolute acknowledgement of their love of all things Studebaker. Your Dad took several turns at being editor of our club’s newsletter (and was truly the most humorous editor we ever had)! Your Mom served as club president for several years. We feel honored and blessed to have called both of your parents our friends. Rest In Peace, Dale. We truly believe you are where you want to be now.

    Reply
  11. Deb Fording March 27, 2018 at 9:31 am

    It was always a pleasure working with you,Thank you for your kindness, your wonderful sense of humor. We were blessed to have you my friend.

    Reply
  12. Janet Summers March 27, 2018 at 9:47 am

    Many prayers to Dales family. He was the one who taught me how to become an instrument technician at Staley. He was a person who could teach with care & fun while learning. He was a great artist & I loved the cartoons he did at work. I will truly miss him & wish you all well.

    Reply
  13. Keiston R. Holloway March 27, 2018 at 3:27 pm

    On behalf of the comrades and sisters of the Department of Indiana you have our deepest condolences for the loss of your loved one and our departed comrade. Our prayers are with you all. Sincerely, veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Department of Indiana State, Chaplain Keiston R. Holloway

    Reply
  14. Patrick and Norma Richardson March 28, 2018 at 12:28 pm

    We shall miss our good friend’s visits to our store. We have lost still another patriot and constitutional conservative, never to be replaced. Such men were of a better generation again never to be replaced. You couldn’t pay this man enough to protest his flag or his country, any social problem, any economic issue, anything at all ever. A terrific subtle sense of humor made his every visit enjoyable, if you were a patriot, constitutional conservative, and especially a veteran. He was respected by and showed a special respect to veterans. He spoke of Barbara’s beauty and her sense of humor. He never replaced her and said evidently he never could. We hope to see some Studebakers today.

    Reply
  15. Danni (Click) Knowles March 28, 2018 at 12:35 pm

    A little prayer for the family at this time. Memories are the best, cherish each and every one.

    Reply
  16. Barbara Deboer April 2, 2018 at 4:59 pm

    I am so sorry to hear of Dales passing, I worked with Dale at Staley’s. I was an operator and he was a technician. Some how he made things run smoother due to his calm and experienced nature.

    Reply

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