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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Dale E. McRoberts of Lincoln, who passed
4away on August 25, 2020; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dale McRoberts was born in his family home on the
6New Holland curve to Charlie and Etheleen McRoberts on June 26,
71936; he graduated from Atlanta High School in 1954; he served
8in the U.S. Marine Corps with the 3rd Marine Division during
9the Korean War era and earned the rank of sergeant; he was
10stationed in Okinawa and served as an armory repairman and a
11DUKW driver; he married Beverly Rankin at the Methodist Church
12in Waynesville on June 19, 1960; he earned his bachelor's
13degree in education with a minor in history from Illinois State
14Normal University in 1961; he later earned his master's degree
15in vocational education from the University of Illinois; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Dale McRoberts started teaching industrial arts
17and drivers' education and serving as assistant basketball
18coach at Delavan High School in 1961; he began teaching
19industrial arts at Lincoln Community High School in 1963; he
20became the vocational area building trades instructor in 1968;
21he continued in this role for 26 years, instructing and
22overseeing the construction of 25 Building Trades homes; he
23retired from teaching in 1994; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Dale McRoberts was an accomplished professional
2square dance caller; he began calling in Mason City in 1968; he
3taught square dance lessons in Atlanta, Delavan, Lincoln, and
4Morton throughout his 52-year career; he was the club caller
5for the Morton Whirl-A-Ways for over 40 years; he called his
6final dance in March 2020; he and his wife traveled to clubs
7all over the Midwest, spent several summers as staff callers in
8Colorado and Georgia, and were inducted into the Illinois
9Square Dance Association Hall of Fame in 2013 for their
10dedication and promotion of square dancing; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Dale McRoberts was committed to his faith; he was
12a member of Jefferson Street Christian Church in Lincoln and
13helped with the construction of the church's new sanctuary; he
14was a member of the Atlanta American Legion Post #341, Lincoln
15Elks Lodge #914, The Oasis Senior Center, and CALLERLAB (The
16International Association of Square Dance Callers); and
 
17    WHEREAS, Dale McRoberts loved music, and he regularly
18played guitar and sang with his bluegrass friends in the area;
19he was an avid golfer and was proud of his 3 holes in one at the
20Lincoln Elks Country Club on holes 2, 8, and 13; alongside his
21wife, he enjoyed playing couples' bridge and bowling; he
22enjoyed solving the daily crossword puzzle and reading; he
23loved spending time with his family, especially dinners

 

 

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1prepared by his wife and playing games with his children and
2grandchildren; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Dale McRoberts was preceded in death by his
4parents and his sisters, Betty June Kindred and Linda Charlene
5McRoberts; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Dale McRoberts is survived by his wife of over 60
7years, Beverly; his daughters, Gayle McRoberts, Connie Long,
8and Sharon (Tom) Burt; his granddaughters, Jenny Methling,
9Emily Burt, and Kendall Burt; his sister, Wilma (Dick) Fugate;
10his many nieces and nephews; and his countless special friends;
11therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
13ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
14Dale E. McRoberts and extend our sincere condolences to his
15family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
16further
 
17    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
18presented to the family of Dale McRoberts as an expression of
19our deepest sympathy.