Michael Dalton

Michael Dalton

West Branch - Michael Steven Dalton

West Branch, Iowa

Michael S. Dalton, 71, died unexpectedly on Sunday, November 12, 2017. Memorial service to be held Saturday, November 25, from 10 am to 2 pm at The Ned Ashton House, 820 Park Road, Iowa City, Iowa.

Michael was the son of Wilbert F. Dalton and Florentine Dalton Pickett. He was born March 26, 1946 in Carroll, Iowa. He graduated from Regina High School in 1964 and received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Iowa in 1969.

On August 12, 1967, he married Sheila Ann Hurley at St. Patrick's Church in Iowa City. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in August 2017, with a trip to Ireland.

Michael was very proud of his military service in the United States Air Force and the Nebraska Air National Guard. He held other veterans in great esteem and especially those who served in World War II, including his father's service in the United States Coast Guard, his Dalton uncles' service, and his father-in-law's service in the United States Navy.

After graduating from Iowa, Michael joined the United States Air Force and spent six years on active duty as a KC-135 Navigator during the Vietnam War. At age 40, he joined the Nebraska Air National Guard and flew the RF-4C Phantom as a "back-seater" which was one of the great joys of his life. He served in the War in Kosovo during that time. He retired from military service as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2002.

Michael was a residential construction contractor and built many homes in the Iowa City/West Branch area. He was also an avid bicyclist who rode his bike every day. He completed his twelfth Door County (WI) Century Ride in September 2017.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sheila; daughter Angela and her husband, Dennis Jordan, and their children Ben and Nick Schmucker, and Alex and Mackenzie Jordan; daughter, Ann Bagchi, and her children Nishika Bagchi and Gabriel Garcia; son, Matthew Dalton and his wife Natasha, and their children Inikka, Zander and Mira; two brothers, Mark and Barry Dalton and their spouses; a sister, Mary Bontrager; several Hurley brothers- and sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Connie and Cecilia Hurley; brothers-in-law, Dennis and Michael Hurley; brother-in-law, Dick Bontrager and an infant brother, Kelly Dalton.

The family requests no flowers but individuals may make donations to Iowa Public Radio, Iowa Public Television, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.