Dale Charles Oberly

Dale Oberly died from cancer at his cabin in Whispering Pines up the Boulder at Contact, Montana, as was his wish, on Friday morning, May 30, 2025. He was 80 years old.
Dale Charles Oberly was born December 6, 1944 in Phillipsburg, New Jersey to Charles "Bud" and Ellen Davis Oberly. He joined a brother, David, who was 16 months older. Eleven years later a third son, Richard, joined the family.
Dale suffered an inability to swallow shortly after he was born and was not expected to live. His father even came home on leave from the Marines to be with his wife and children during these critical days. Finally Ellen took her baby to a Faith Healer, after which Dale immediately improved and his untimely death was averted. This action and the validity of the result was the subject of controversy the rest of Dale's life.
Ellen, David and Dale resided with his paternal grandparents on the Oberly farm near Alpha, NJ in the family farmhouse (built in the 1700's) during his early years. When his father was discharged from the Service his parents built a house in the Riegel Ridge area of Holland Township near Milford, NJ.
Behind the Oberly's home was the Riegel Paper Company's recreational facility open to employees and the community. Dale spent a great deal of his childhood being part of Ridge activities, and always said growing up where he did was the Best Place. As a teenager Dale ran weekly dances where up and coming heart throb singers from New York and Philadelphia would perform. Among the soon to be famous entertainers he hosted were Brian Hyland, Johnny Tilletson, and Jay and the Americans.
Dale attended Holland Township elementary school and graduated from Delaware Valley Regional High School, Frenchtown, NJ in 1964. He played basketball all four years and was captain his Senior year, as well as being named Honorable Mention in the State. He also competed in track, winning numerous medals in his quarter, half, and mile races. For two consecutive years Dale placed second in the Mile at the New Jersey State Track Meet held at Ruckers University. The Del Val school record he set in the mile was not broken for many years.
Dale and David were the first young people in their immediate family to leave the East Coast after high school. Their ancestors were among the early settlers in America, having arrived on the Mayflower and other colonizing ships in the 1600's. Dale attended college in Emporia, Kansas on a track scholarship. As a freshman he ran against the first person to break the four minute mile, Jim Ryan. He was proud of the fact Ryan did not lap him. Dale also played basketball for the College of Emporia. He graduated in 1968 with degrees in Business and Psychology.
Dale and his future wife met in Emporia in 1967. Dale worked for Phillips Petroleum Company in Kansas City for nearly two years before he and Beccy Stolte were married in 1970. Dale was in the Collection Department at Phillips and one of his accounts was Elvis Presley. The King always paid his bill on time; he mostly bought jet fuel.
The newlyweds headed for Cheyenne, Wyoming the summer they were married. Dale was the Business Manager for Cheyenne Newspapers, involved in the divisions of the company that owned dailies, weeklies and regional publications plus radio and television stations throughout the state.
The six years he lived in Cheyenne Dale was active in Civitan International, started and oversaw the Laramie County Job Fair, and attended Monday night Quarterback Club dinners for the University of Wyoming. He and Beccy were members of the Dazee Dancers Square Dancing group; they and 11 other couples performed during Frontier Days events, including on one of Dazee's floats in the parades, as well as rodeo promotional activities throughout the year.
In 1976 the couple, along with partners Chuck and Nan Heckart, purchased the Pioneer weekly newspaper in Big Timber, Montana. Arriving in the evening on a perfect late June day the Oberlys were ushered into their new life by a spectacular Charley Russell sunset spread magnanimously over the Crazy Mountains. Dale had found his home for the rest of his life.
In less than three years the Heckarts moved on and Dale and Beccy were the sole owners of the Big Timber Pioneer. For the next three decades Dale filled the role of the publisher of a community newspaper, experiencing the highs and lows of entrepreneurship of a small town business and all the work, accomplishments, and adventures of the publishing world. The Oberlys also owned the Yellowstone County News, based out of the Billings Heights, for several years.
He transformed his photographic skill to award winning pictures for the papers, learned the trade of offset printing, dabbled in selling a variety of items including pet rocks, coal, and picnic tables, and was successful in construction, renovation and refurbishing projects in Cheyenne and Big Timber. Building the Oberly log home above the Yellowstone River just north of Big Timber was a 40 year endeavor.
Dale was active in the Montana Newspaper Association throughout his journalistic career. He served on various committees, was President of the organization in 1992, and represented Montana and the Northwest in the National Newspaper Association. In this capacity he attended conventions, including a gathering at the Arkansas State House in Little Rock when Bill Clinton was Governor. He also meet with Presidents Bush and Reagan at the White House in Washington, D.C. There the Red Carpet was rolled out for Association members; those experiences were among Dale's favorite professional ventures. Dale was also honored by being designated a Master Editor-Publisher by the Montana Newspaper Association, along with Beccy.
In the Sweet Grass County community Dale was active in the Lion's Club, served on the Lutheran Church Council, participated in the early impact planning stages of the Stillwater Mine, as well as associating with numerous local events and projects over the years. He and his partner Heckart started the Sweet Grass County Chamber of Commerce in the late 1970's and Dale was President of the newly formed group.
Retiring in 2008 Dale moved to his beloved cabin up the Boulder. One of the few year round residents in Whispering Pines, Dale enjoyed living on the edge of the Wilderness. Hunting and fishing were lifelong passions, as well as over 30 years of genealogy research.
Dale loved to cook and prepared many excellent meals. His passion for Jimmy's Hot Dogs and Joe's Philly Cheesesteaks spanned over 80 years. In fact, he missed Joe's sandwiches so much while living in Cheyenne he and Heckart and a childhood friend, Chet Faust, started their own restaurant, very closely duplicating the original NJ recipe. Dale spent decades searching for a hot dog and a steak sandwich as good as he, Jimmy and Joe made.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents and brother David.
Dale is survived by his wife Beccy; son Charles (Amber) and their children Emmy and Anson of Big Timber; daughter Ellen (Tony) and their children Annica and Juliana of Kent, WA; daughter Elizabeth (Eon) and their children Makenna and Taylin of Big Timber, MT; brother Richard (Betsy) Oberly and their daughter Susannah of Ithaca, NY; nephews David, Jr. and Josh Oberly of Bozeman, MT; Aunt Edith Exley of Bethlehem, PA; Special Daughter Danielle Hanson Strain of Johnstown, CO; and numerous cousins and friends throughout his life with whom he shared wonderful memories.
When Dale was in Seattle for his last radiation treatment this Spring he spoke a great deal about the possibility of family and friends gathering at the Thompson Ranch for a summer day of fellowship. He even dreamt of being by the Yellowstone for the last time, surrounded by Montana's beauty.
The Funeral Service for Dale Oberly will be held at the Thompson Ranch on the banks of the Yellowstone River Saturday, June 7, starting at 11am. Thompson Ranch access is on the east edge of Big Timber via the frontage road, generally across from the Overland Golf Course. Turn into the entrance (128 Thompson Lane), follow the signs and head north to the river. A Philly steak sandwich lunch, Dale's favorite food, will follow the service. If you wish, bring chairs, byob, a dessert or salad.
Burial in Mountainview Cemetery under one of the beautiful tall pines, another of Dale's wishes come true, will be at 2pm. Arrangements were made by Stenberg Funeral Home of Big Timber, who have been most kind to help in many ways.
If you are so inclined Memorials in Dale's name may be directed towards Charles' choice, the disabled veterans group Montana Warriors on the Water (https://www.montanawarriorsonthewater.com/); Liz's pick, Missoula's non-profit Animal Wonders which aids animals in a variety of ways (https://www.animalwonders.org/how-to-help.html#/); Ellie's thoughtful remembrance, the SGHS Herder Booster Club (PO Box 1756, BT, MT 59011); or Beccy's favorite charity that does the work of the angels, Hearts & Hands Hospice (PO Box 1337, BT, MT 59011). Thank you.