Dale W. Blake, 82, of Belvidere, IL died Thursday morning, August 23, 2007 in Northwoods Care Center. Dale was born May 17, 1925 in Belvidere, IL the son of Gilbert and Estelle Blanche (Whitney) Blake. Following graduation from Belvidere high School, Dale served our country in the U.S. Army seeing combat in the Philippines and was discharged in Hawaii. Dale farmed until 1956 then worked for Gray's Trucking and Implement, Knox Trucking and then retired from Chrysler as a supervisor in 1987. Dale married Betty Brown in 1948; she predeceased him in September of 1989. He then married Betty Schrader in 1991. Dale was active in the Belvidere Men's Garden Club serving as treasurer for 8 years, Belvidere Moose, American Legion Boone Post #77, and V.F.W. John Hugo Kaiser Post #1461, Belvidere Buc's Booster Club. Dale also enjoyed traveling, fishing, and watching sporting events. Dale was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon, Elder and was an usher.Survivor's include his wife, Betty of Belvidere; children, Diane (Joe) Baird of Belvidere, Claudia (John) Shamet of Woodridge; grandchildren, Adam (Andrea) and Andrew Baird both of Belvidere, Kim and Chris Shamet both of Woodridge; great granddaughter, Regan Baird of Belvidere; step children, Debbie Reints and Dennis Schrader both of Belvidere; step-grandchildren, Holly, Shannon, Geoff, Jenne; step- great grandchildren, Javious, Anysia, Natalie; brothers and sisters, Donald (Elaine) Blake of Byron, Doris (LaVerne) Peterson of Rockford, Darwin (Donna) Blake of Belvidere, Darlene Johns of Belvidere, David (Muriel) Blake of Roscoe, IL, numerous nieces and nephews. Dale is also predeceased by brothers Derwood and Darrell.

A memorial will be established with the V.F.W. John Hugo Kaiser Post #1461.