Dale Jasper, 97, obtituary

 Although it was not unexpected, I was sad to see this notice of Dale's death. As with my cousin Margaret Blake who died on the 20th, I remember when I first met him, probably 1946.  He had married a Franklin Grove "girl" and was farming on my Grandmother's farm between Ashton and Franklin Grove. He was young, handsome, funny and a hard worker. In 1958 I lived on my grandparents' farm, and got to know him and his 6 kids, Bob, Becky, Rhonda, Rowan (I think we called her Curly), Ruth, and Renee much better.  A terrific group of people.

FRANKLIN GROVE — Dale R. Jasper, 97, of Franklin Grove, died Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, at his home.

Visitation will be 4 - 7 p.m., on Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, at Preston-Schilling Funeral Home, Dixon. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at Church of the Brethren in Franklin Grove, with Pastor Matt Rittle and Pastor Anet Satvedi, co-officiating. Burial will be in Emmert Cemetery in Franklin Grove, with fellowship and food to follow at the church.

Dale was born May 23, 1919, in Ankeny, Iowa, the son of Frank and Ida (Berkey) Jasper. He married Adeline E. Smith on May 16, 1943, in Franklin Grove. She preceded him in death on April 8, 2016.

Surviving him are his five daughters, Rebecca Jasper, of Farmington, N.M., Rhonda (Steve) Hoffman, of Franklin Grove, Rowan (Alan) Harn, of Freeport, Ruth (John) Lehman, of Washington, IL, and Renee (Mark) Pitman, of Bryan, Ohio; one daughter-in-law, Susan Jasper, of Franklin Grove; 16 grandchildren, Kirby Jasper, Heidi Jasper, April (Mark) Glosser, Heather (Jim) Tinsman, Gavin (Nina) Harn, Grandon (Kirsten) Harn, Gunnar Harn, Joe (Leylan) Lehman, Jordan (Kacy) Lehman, Jonathan Lehman, Joshua Lehman, Anupriya Lehman, Madeline, Anna, Eliot, Leah Pitman; and 12 great-grandchildren, Garrett and Macenzie Glosser, Luke, Adeline, Jack Tinsman, Ethan and Hadlee Harn, Braden, Graysen, and Abel Lehman, Theo and Haven Lehman; Maria, his special friend and caregiver; and many nieces, nephews and friends that he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by one son, Robert Jasper; and two sisters, Lois Gibson and Helen Gromer.

He was a life-long farmer.

Dale was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II serving as a medical clerk. He was a member of Church of the Brethren in Franklin Grove. He came to Illinois from Ankeny, Iowa to farm with horses.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to Franklin Grove Fire Department, Church of the Brethren/Heifer Project International; and Franklin Grove Historical Society.

Arrangements are being completed by Preston-Schilling Funeral Home, Ltd., Dixon.