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Dale Raymond Ely

Dale Ely Obituary

Dale Raymond Ely, 84, formerly of Kansas City, Mo., passed away February 26, 2009, at Cameron, Mo., Veterans Home. Visitation 1 p.m., services 2 p.m., on Sunday, March 1, at the Travis-Noe Funeral Home, Kirksville, Mo., (660) 665-1300. Dale was born May 12, 1924, in Kirksville, Mo., to Marguerite (Adkins) and Pearl Ely, and was a Navy veteran of the Korean War and WW II, serving on the USS Chenango. He was a loving father and family man, with a passion for hunting and fishing, once winning the Missouri State Indoor Archery Championship. His knack and determination for "making something out of nothing" resulted in the best tree house in the neighborhood for his kids, and many other ingenious creations. Dale was preceded in death by his father, mother and sister Geneva. His four children, Phyllis Flinn (husband Jim), Laurie, Mo., Rita Pierce (husband Michael), Pine Mountain Club, Calif., Ron (wife Kathy), Arcadia, Calif., and Renna King (husband Greg), Kansas City, Mo.; nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren will dearly miss him and his ornery sense of humor. Memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice and Dale's children thank them for their loving care for their father.

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Published by Kansas City Star on Mar. 1, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Dale Ely

17 Entries

Renna Ely-King

February 27, 2011

Dear Dad,
Hard to believe you've been on your new journey for two years. You are missed more than words can say. I watched old family videos last night for over 4 hours. My favorite was Christmas '92 - my home in LA, the whole family was there, including Mom & Sean. Lots of laughing, kidding, guitar jamming, card playing & of course, great food!
Loving & missing you Dad,
your baby girl,
Renna Kay

February 28, 2010

I was watching the Hockey game during the 2010 Olympics and saw your face. Laughing, yelling at the goalies. Physically not here anymore, mentally on my mind from time to time, always in my heart. Memories are PRICELESS. Thank you,Dale for the ones you have given to me. Say Hi to my Mom for me. Give my BFFL a warm hug. BD:-)

Janet Wilson

February 25, 2010

Renna: We will never forget the legacy that your dad left for each of you. You, Rita and Ron each received individual gifts from him. We will never stop missing the loved one that has gone on before us, but we should be consoled knowing that they are there preparing for our arrival. The initial intense grief we felt should now be replaced with the wonderful memories we shared. Sometimes that grief tries to linger and we should not allow that, because grief will make us "heart sick" which in time can cause physical illness. I love you and want you to know that I still think of the times we spent with your dad and how happy and content he was then and is now. I'm always here for you!

Patti Kay Noe

March 13, 2009

Aunt Renna, You & your siblings were blessed with a wonderful father and I know all who knew him will miss him dearly. While it is sad to lose him on this earth, I know he must be smiling down from heaven, thanking God for letting him live such a wonderful life with great family & friends.

Shannon (Sunny) Barrett

March 11, 2009

Death saddens us because of the seperation that it causes. Our faith comforts us with the knowledge that we will be together in happiness again one day.
My grandfather was one of the best men I know. He is so much a part of who I am as a person today and I will FOREVER be grateful to him for teaching me about life and animals and loving the outdoors. I continue to learn from him everyday how to see life in a way that some people will never know. He taught me that you can live off the land and enjoy the simple things that life has to offer. He always taught me to be a strong girl. I can also spit farther and belch louder than ANY man I have ever met..Thank You Grandpa! If it weren't for him, I may have ended up a city girl. I tried that for a while but because of his presence in my childhood, my heart lead me back to the country where I see him and his teachings all around me as I build my life and my family. I pray this prayer for you my wonderful Grandfather...
Dear Lord, Sometimes it's hard to understand the pain that comes into our lives. This is most true when we lose someone that we love. At this time, we need to remember that life is a cirlce. You have given us eternal life.
In dying, our loved one has come back to you as all of us will, in time.
The mystery of life is, that sadness, actually brings us to our greatest happiness. Bless with your love and mercy dear lord, those that we love and miss. You are forever in my heart grandpa. I love You...

Lesa

March 11, 2009

I worked at the Veteran's Home and had the pleasure of getting to know Dale working with him as an activity aide. From the beginning, he was one of my favorites and I could always look forward to his stories and warm smile. He was as ornery as they came, and I loved his sense of humor. Even when the dreaded disease took hold, there was a warmth about Dale that is hard to explain. I left the Veteran's home before Dale's passing and am sad that I wasn't able to tell him how much he touched my life. My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Reginia Siemens Mason

March 11, 2009

Renna Rita & Ron I am so sorry for the loss of your wonderful father. I just wish I could have been their at the funeral. He was always there for you guys no matter what. He was very proud of the way his children turned out in life. But who wouldn't have with the great upbringing he gave you all. He will be greatly missed by a lot of people.Again I'm so sorry for your loss.

Patty Dearing-Myers

March 9, 2009

I am the same age of Renna and we became great friends in Jr. high.I even adopted one of her dog,Tiny's pups.That was the smartest dog that I have ever seen and I loved her for years!
The Ely family always made you feel so welcome and comfortable.They were like my own family and I shared many great times with them. I even got to go on a weekend trip to Dale's mom's house with Renna & Dale. Renna and I were young and tried our luck at fishing! Imagine our surprise when we returned to the poles that we'd abandoned and both of us had a fish! Dale was just that kind of dad...to show us a good time he had put fish on our lines! It worked...we thought we caught 'em! We did have a great time. A memory I will always cherish! Thanks beloved father, Dale.
It is so hard to loose your dad because a dad is your super hero. They are always there when you need them, so it's hard to understand when they are taken away. Your mind is in disbelief and you have this big empty space in your heart that nothing or no one can fill. My dad was alot like Dale, just a humble country boy who loved fishing & family. At my father's funeral someone told me to take all the time you need to heal, so I want to pass that on to this family. Give yourselves permission to take as much time as you need to grieve. Remember your dad and smile, weep in sorrow and even shout in anger....but just know that you are never alone. The love of GOD and friends will always be there just waiting for whatever you need. Healing takes a lot of time so allow yourselves that. All of our lives are brief because GOD is timeless, so this is just a temporary sleep until you are reunited. Remembering with all of you...always... a Super Dad and a Super Hero, Dale Ely! We love you. We miss you!
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

Kevin Watson

March 9, 2009

My family lived across the street from the Ely’s on North Olive until the early sixties, the summer after I finished first grade. I had crushes on Dale’s daughters, Rita and Renna, and I wanted to be like his son, Ron. Any time Dale paid me any attention, I felt special. He let me run the trotlines with him and Herb on the Platte River, and once he let me tag along with them on a dove hunt. My birthday is in May, and when I was young and learned that Dale’s birthday was in May, I thought that was really cool. Even though I hadn’t seen him in more than twenty years, every May I would think of him and wonder what he was up to. I always imagined him fishing, hunting or building something. That’s how I will always remember Dale.

Ernest Klindt

March 9, 2009

To Rita, Ron and Renna and their families. Dale has a special place in my memories of him of the time I worked and spent some memorable times while on liberty during our few times in Port during our stint in the Pacific during WWII with the U. S. Navy. I've never known him to do an unkind thing. Cherish the memories you have of your Dad. We all have to leave this World sometime and it was Dale's time.

Rest in Peace Dale - I'll see you there.

Ernie Klindt, Bethany, Missouri

March 4, 2009

more than a friend. More like a brother.Happy hunting,and fishing.Best buddy's always.
Herb Willans

Shari Neil

March 3, 2009

Rita,Renna,Ron,and family, so sorry to hear about Dale. Our caring thoughts and deepest sympathies are with you. May they bring you peace and comfort. We love and miss you all.

Greg King

March 3, 2009

I grew up down the street from the Ely family. I was the same age as Dale's son Ron and was just a year of age apart from his two daughters Rita and Renna. I got two play and sleep in the fabulous tree house that there most inventive father built. I can't say that I really knew there father. But later in life I was lucky enough to marry his daughter Renna. And by knowing and loving his daughter Renna I knew Dale. I saw and see in Renna the great qualities that she has learned and cherish from her father. So I know Dale was a good man, a man that if they were more like him in this world, the world would be a better place. He will be greatly missed, but the love that his family had for him will never die, so he will really never be dead.

Greg King

Sharon Meyer

March 3, 2009

Renna,I am so sorry for your loss. I'll be right here if you need a listening ear. I loved Beanie's letter, I'm sure it warms your heart to know how he touched so many people.

Lori LaFountain

March 3, 2009

Renna I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to you and your brother and sisters. A father well loved and a life well lived is a wonderful legacy to leave. I lift you all in prayer during this sad time.

Karen (Wurdack) Maddox

March 2, 2009

Rita, My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead. Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Revena Dawson

March 2, 2009

Dale, It is difficult to put into words just how I am feeling right now. For your family. For my Friend. My heart is broken, but full of life long memories. You were like a Dad to me during those JR High years. Renna, my BFFL,and I were inseparable. When I wasn't in school, I was at the Ely's. Beanie with the little green weanie, I was affectionately known, thanks to Ron. Then in our high school years, the hockey games. One night you asked me to bring my cheerleading megaphone. It was big, blue, with the letters, OPHS. You used it to yell at the opposing goalie! We were so embarrassed. I was afraid some teacher or maybe even Dr. Kahler, may see you. You were having the time of your life. In our early 20's, after one great party, I was the designating driver of Renna's Camero. I parked it in the driveway without putting on the emergency brake. You woke Renna out of a sound sleep and said, "Nice parking job." The camero rolled down the driveway into the Platt's field across the street. But my favorite memory was in 1997. A Navy Reunion was held at the Yorktown Aircraft Carrier in the Charleston Harbor, and you came to visit me while you were here reminiscing with your navy buddies. You looked at a picture of me, taken on a cruise ship, and said, "Who is that beautiful red head!" What a wonderful time for all of us. Dale Ely, in my home, with my family. I felt loved by my best friend's Dad. I will never forget you, Dale Ely.

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