IN MEMORIAM
EXPANDED EULOGIES
John Dalke
Services for John F. Dalke, 87, who passed away Sept. 24, 2021, at Hillsboro Community Hospital, were at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, at Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Church, 1498 Kanza Rd., Hillsboro.
Pastor Darren Rempel officiated. Interment with military honors followed at Ebenfeld Cemetery.
His family gathered with friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28, at Yazel-Megli Funeral Home, Hillsboro.
Born May 27, 1934, in Hillsboro to A.H. and Doris (Foster) Dalke, he attended Hillsboro schools and graduated in 1952 from Hillsboro High School.
In high school, John was active in FFA and played football. His senior quote was, “My hobby is mechanics.”
He enjoyed hunting and other outdoor activities and spending time with his boys, helping with their activities, including coaching baseball and helping with Boy Scouts.
He took Boy Scouts camping and helped them build race cars for the Pinewood derby.
According to his sons, he was the one to ride with to Sunday School because he drove so fast. According to his grandson, Tyler, he made the best pickles in the world.
John served his country in the U.S. Army in Germany. He continued service with the Army Reserve. Upon leaving the military, John had achieved the rank of staff sergeant.
John married Delores Penner on May 12, 1962, in Wichita. They had three children, John Owen Dalke, Mark Gregory Dalke, and Matthew Erik Dalke.
John and Delores were married 59 years.
After the military, John became a truck driver and mechanic for Associated Milk Producers Inc., delivering Baskin-Robbins ice cream.
He became such good friends with the people to whom he delivered the ice cream that he and Delores often were invited to weddings, anniversaries, and sporting events of customers’ family members.
He later was promoted to transportation manager and especially enjoyed working alongside his brother, Jim.
John was preceded in death by his parents, A.H. and Doris Dalke; his in-laws, Julius and Martha Penner; his son, John O. Dalke; his brothers, Paul and James; his sister, Mary; and a brother-in- law, Larry Hamm.
He is survived by his wife, Delores, his sons, Mark Dalke (and wife Pat) of Hillsboro and Matt Dalke (and wife Jamey) of Chapman; his brother, Dan Dalke (and wife Donna) of Hillsboro; his sister, Ruth Hamm or Hillsboro; his grandchildren, Reagan and Tyler Dalke; and his step-grandchildren, Ashley Thornhill and Mike Massari.
Memorial contributions in memory of John may be made to Hillsboro Community Foundation in care of Yazel-Megli Funeral Home, 902 E D St, Hillsboro KS 67063.
Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of John at www.yazelmeglifh.com.