Dorothy Mae Van Dale

1928 - 2017

Dorothy Mae (Shaffer) Van Dale, age 88, of Brookville, PA, passed away peacefully during the early morning hours on Tuesday, February 14, 2017, as a resident of Brookside Senior Living in Brookville, PA.
Dorothy was born on April 23, 1928, in Brookville, PA, to the late J. Fred and Hazel (Boozer) Shaffer. She attended Brookville High School and graduated with the class of 1947. On June 16, 1956 she married Eugene L. Van Dale; he preceded her in passing on June 26, 1990.
Dorothy worked hard all of her life to help provide a good living for her family. She worked many positions at many different jobs including Wein's in Brookville, PA, the Brookville Glove Factory, and Sylvania. She then spent time in Washington DC as a secretary. Dorothy took a break from professional work to raise her children and as they grew into their teenage years she went back to work at the Clarion Hospital in the medical records department, then to Beverage-Air, eventually she worked through an agency called Green Thumb which placed her at the Jefferson County Court House working under George Miller, and finally working for the armory in Brookville.
With as busy as she was raising three children and working all the various jobs, she always had supper ready, and she was a great housekeeper. In her earlier years she loved going to the Brookville Roller Rink, dancing, and she spent much of her time at the Walter Dick Dam, bathing in the sun as she looked out over the swimmers. She insisted that her children remain active when they were young and she went out of her way to ensure they had beautiful childhood memories to look back on. She worked hard, laughed hard, and loved easy as can still be seen in her children.
Dorothy is survived by 1 daughter, Cheryl (Michael) McMurray of Brookville, PA; 2 sons, Kevin E. (Jackie Henry) Van Dale of Knox, PA and Kyle (Patricia) Van Dale of Butler, PA; 2 brothers, Robert (Connie) Shaffer of DuBois, PA and David Shaffer of Falconer, NY; 1 granddaughter, Megan McMurray; 2 grandsons, Andrew McMurray, Dakota (fiancé Ashley)Henry; 2 step-granddaughters, Erica Leonberg, Cassandra List; 3 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
In addition to her husband and parents, Dorothy is preceded in death by 1 sister; Phyllis Shaffer; 2 Brothers, Charles Shaffer and John Shaffer.
Family and friends will be received on Friday, February 17, 2017, from 9 am - 12 noon, at the McKinney - d'Argy Funeral Home, l345 Main St., Brookville, PA, 15825. A funeral service will immediately follow the viewing, beginning at 12:00 pm, and officiated by the Rev. Nathan Royster. Interment will take place at the Brookville Cemetery, Jefferson Co, PA. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Clarion PAWS, 11348 US-322, Shippenville, PA 16254; or to the Brookville Lion's Club, PO Box 5, Brookville PA, 15825, specifying to benefit work for the vision impaired.
Online condolences and other information may be found at www.mckinneydargy.com