Dale Patterson Hilleary
Born: May 1st, 1929
Died: December 15th, 2013
Obituary
Dale Patterson Hilleary, 84, of Danville, died at 11:48 AM Sunday, December 15, 2013, at the Great River Medical Center in West Burlington. Born May 1, 1929, in Burlington, he was the son of Oran and Elsie Patterson Hilleary. On August 14, 1949, he married Phyllis E. Layton in Durham, IL. Dale was a Chemist for Atomic Energy Commission through the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant from 1951 until 1974 and then was transferred to Amarillo, Texas, where he retired in 1989. He was a 1946 graduate of Burlington High School and a graduate of Burlington Junior College. He then went on to Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, IA where he obtained his degree in chemistry. He was an avid basketball player through the Burlington Junior College and played for various programs. He played softball for the Ammunition Plant and he coached Pony League in Burlington for many years. He was also an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan. He was a life-long conservationist and was very involved with conservation through the Ammunition Plant. He enjoyed watching ducks and was a member of Ducks Unlimited. He later provided them with habitats. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis; three daughters, Karen (Roy) Nelson of Canton, MO, Becky Gray of Middletown, IA, and Debbie (Duane) Chapman of Canyon, TX; one son, Mike (Becki) Hilleary of Amarillo, TX; seven grandchildren, Heather (Sean) Hathaway, Chris (Keri) Nelson, K.J. Gray, Hilleary (Jay) Drake, Matt LaGrone, Jason Hilleary, and Justin Hilleary; five great-grandchildren, Allysa Nelson, Maggie Nelson, Madilyn Nelson, Layton Nelson, and Will Drake; and one sister, Doris (Robert) Persky of Oregon. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at Thielen Funeral Home. The funeral service for Mr. Hilleary will be 1:00 PM Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at Thielen Funeral Home with Chaplain Randy Gearhart officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Danville Volunteer Fire Department. - See more at: http://www.thielenfuneralhome.com/obituary/Dale-Patterson-Hilleary/Danville-IA/1323163#sthash.Ba9rO0AC.dpuf