Dale Lee Chrisman

Dale, son of Lucille and David, was born in Columbia, Dec. 4, 1952, graduated from Hickman and served three years in the Army. He returned from service to work with his father and grandfather in the carpet cleaning and upholstery business and most recently was employed by Hy-Vee as a maintenance and delivery driver.

He was married to Sherri Henke, of Salisbury, for 31 years and is survived by Sherri and their two sons, Douglas, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America who is a personal chef in Washington D.C. and Greg, a University of Missouri graduate who is now a flight attendant with United Airlines. He is also survived by his father, David, of Columbia, his brother, Bill, of Traverse City, MI, and sister, Lori, of Columbia.

Dale is preceded in death by his mother, Lucille, paternal grandparents Kenneth and Gertrude Chrisman and maternal grandparents Bill and Edna Duren.

Dale’s greatest treasure and joy was his family, especially his two sons, Douglas and Greg, and he instilled in them his values of hard work, thoroughness in any job undertaken and a love of all people. This man- a beloved father, son, brother, uncle, friend, musician and Morel Marauder will be deeply missed forever.

At 16, he joined his brother Bill’s band, The Coachmen, playing bass guitar, and continued playing with groups such as Woodrose. Music was in his blood and blues and the Allman Brothers could be heard whenever he was near a radio or CD player. He was in the process of putting a new band together with old friends Bill Jenkins and Steve Pass. When he wasn’t at work or playing his bass, he was in the woods almost every day in the spring, looking for morels, always giving away his finds to friends and neighbors- always a generous and caring man.

Anyone who knew him will attest to the twinkle in his eye, his big smile and his desire to make everyone feel special. If he wasn’t repairing or building shelves at Hy-Vee, he was putting a light fixture up at his father’s or raking leaves at sister Lori’s.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday at Memorial Funeral Home, preceded by a visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Second Chance Animal Rescue.