Dale Vest Obituary

Vest, Dale
Feb 07, 1961 - April 02, 2017
Vest, Dale Oakley Feb 7, 1961 - Apr 2, 2017, Nokomis FL. Our hearts ache as we announce the passing (or as Dale preferred, crossing over) of our very much loved son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, friend & all around great guy. He has journeyed home ahead of his parents, Mary & Earl Hostetler & JoAnne Vest. He was greeted at the gates of glory by His Savior, Jesus Christ, & his Daddy, Edward Vest. He leaves behind 6 brothers & 4 sisters & 1 Hilde all of whom he could drive absolutely crazy, but who loved him to the moon & back a gazillion times! Dale loved nature, animals, children, the simple things in life & found beauty in his world every day. In the midst of a ferocious, unrelenting battle with cancer, if you asked Dale how he was, his answer would always be, "It's a beautiful day & God is everywhere around me. I'm happy, happy, happy." On June 10th, 2017, Dale will celebrate 4 years of sobriety. He was looking forward to that as was his family who are all so proud of him. This year he gets to celebrate in heaven. Dale, enjoy your eternal "Sabastian." (A Dale-ism) Not goodbye, but see you later! The family suggests sending memorial contributions to SRQ Salvation Army Recovery Program. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Herald Tribune from Apr. 7 to Apr. 9, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Dale Vest

Sponsored by Sound Choice Cremation.

6 Entries

Chuck and Jeannie Keller

April 15, 2017

Sorry for your loss

Christine Vest

April 12, 2017

I enjoyed the trips to Florida with my friends and family. I have forgave you and Billy for throwing me in the pool.

Aunt Catherine and Uncle Ray Harper

April 12, 2017

Dale and his cousins spent a lot of time playing together as kids he was such a good heart'ed person.He carried this all trough his life no matter what life sent his way.He will be missed,that's for sure. LOL

Cheryl Vest

April 12, 2017

I just remember all those picnics at Miami Whitewater park growing up. Taking walks with all the kids along the river and Dale and Billy somehow getting us all wet or in trouble. Dale will definitely be missed. Love you all.

Deanna

April 12, 2017

May you cherish the love, sweet memories and laughter you shared.

Dale Oakley Vest

Teresa Harrell

April 12, 2017

Everyone who knows Dale knows that he was a very unique individual. You could not put him into any mold. Being his sister, I happen to know that Dale was like that from the day he was born. For those who haven't seen him for awhile and only remember the old Dale, let me tell you who he has been for the past almost 4 years. He got sober, a miracle in itself. He got his driver's license back after over 30 years of not driving. He bought a truck. It looked like a clunker to me, but he loved it. He took care of it like it was brand spanking new. He started a little mowing business "Dale's Mowing and More". His business was growing. He bought equipment, a new 0 turn mower, weed whacker, edger. He built a little, well, two little sheds in the backyard to keep all of his stuff. I remember the days that he could put everything he owned in a plastic bag. He painted his trailer and cleaned up his "space." He even got the neighborhood beautification award. Okay, so it was a certificate we printed up and presented to him. Dale took pride in himself and worked hard every single day to be a better person. And man, did he live his mama! They had a very special bond. He never missed an opportunity to shower her with gifts whether it was chocolate covered cherries or some treasure he found like a rock or a branch or a plant that he found in his daily travels. Dale saw beauty in things that most people would discard without a second thought. He might have been just a little bit, kind of, somewhat of a hoarder. Just sayin'. Dale could not be put in a box. He was special. He is special. He wasn't a saint. Sometimes he made me want to beat my head.. or his... against a wall. We lived under the same roof or at least on the same piece of property for the last 6 years. It could be challenging. I'm certain there were times I drove him just as crazy as he drove me. I nagged him. I bucked him on a lot of things. We fought as only a brother and sister can, but we also loved each other as only a brother and sister can. Because we lived together, I had the most amazing, incredible privilege and the most heartbreaking, painful experience of spending the last couple of month of his life right there with him. I watched him fight and vow never to give up. I watched the cancer slowly and steadily steal his independence and his health. Yet he continued fighting and kept such a positive outlook. He knew the cancer would ultimately take his life, but he did not let it steal his joy or his spirit. And then in the afternoon of April 2nd, Dale's physical body could no longer withstand the ravages of the cancer that consumed so many of his organs and he stepped from this earthly life into eternity. My heart is broken. Sometimes it hurts so bad it's hard to breathe. The grief is overwhelming. BUT... I have the promise and I have the hope that one day I will see my brother again. His last breath here was his first breath in heaven. Dale knew Jesus. He had a personal, very special relationship with Him. He had no doubt that his eternity would be spent with his Savior. In that I find comfort. Even though my heart aches, I know that one day I will see my brother again. I look forward to that day and heaven became a little more exciting for me the moment Dale arrived there. That's why I didn't have to say goodbye to him. I simply said, "I love you like crazy and I'll catch up to you later." Rest gently in the arms of Jesus, my brother.

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