Dale Whitehead, age 87 of Perry, passed away with his family by his side on Friday, August 6, 2021, at his home in Perry. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Perry. Visitation will be on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. with family present to greet friends 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a Masonic Lodge service held at 7:15 p.m. at the Carris Family Funeral Home & Cremation Care in Perry. Burial will be in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at Adel, IA on Friday, August 13, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. Memorials will be given to Every Step Hospice and may be left at the Carris Family Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Online condolences may be left at www.carrisfuneralhome.com.
Dale Eugene Whitehead was born on May 29, 1934, at Panora, IA to Harold Sargent and Erma Marjorie (Kersbergen) Whitehead. He graduated from Panora High School with the class of 1951. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He was united in marriage to Janice Lou Armstrong at United Methodist Church in Panora, IA on February 21, 1959. Dale farmed near Guthrie Center, worked at the Panora DX Station, Chevrolet garage in Coon Rapids, International Harvester in Perry, and owned and operated D & J Truck Repair in Dawson for 30 plus years.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Perry. He was a member Panora Masonic Lodge #121 and the Perry Otley Lodge #299 for a combined total of 62 years, the Order of Eastern Star for 59 years. During that time, he served as Master Mason and Patron for Eastern Star. He was also a member of the Rippey American Legion, Methodist Men’s Group, Methodist Board of Trustee’s, the Iowa Federation of Square and Round Dancers, was past president for the Federation of Square and Round Dancers, he attended 14 National Conventions and was 1 of 4 voting delegates at the National for the Ways and Means Committee for all 14 conventions. He was a 30-gallon blood donor. Dale was able to attend one of the Honor Flights to Washington D.C. and was a recipient of the Quilt of Valor. He enjoyed collecting International toy tractors, toy semi-trucks, square dancing visiting with family, friends and strangers.
Left to cherish Dale’s memory are his wife Jan Whitehead, Perry, IA, children, Douglas (Julie) Whitehead, Des Moines, IA, and Denise (Brian) Wright, Waukee, IA, grandchildren, Samuel (Ashley) Myers, Waukee, IA, Danielle (Brandon) Cunningham, Des Moines, IA, and Samantha Wright and fiancé Sam Nelson, Woodbury, MN, a brother, Dean (Betty) Whitehead, Panora, IA and a sister-in-law, Kay Whitehead, Exira, IA.