Obituary

John Dale Wilkerson, 87, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in the early morning hours of May 24th, 2021. John Dale was born in Rockville, MO on August 19, 1933. He was the third of nine children of John Wilkerson and Ruby Hubbard Wilkerson. He graduated high school from Rich Hill, Missouri in 1951 and then moved to the big city. He was baptized on August 19, 2001 and much appreciated his Christian life and church fellowship. He was a truck driver for several years for Kent Products and then became owner operator of Dale’s Phillips 66 in Independence, Missouri. He was an excellent mechanic and always guaranteed his work. He always said he might not be cheap but he was the best. He loved hunting and fishing and looked forward to deer hunting for many years. He fished right up to the time of his death. He loved playing cards and was always the life of the party. He never knew a stranger and he never got tired of talking to anyone that would listen. He would talk even if they weren’t listening! He married Ruth Balding on June 24, 1976 and they would have celebrated their 45th anniversary in June. Ruth always said he was the love of her life. Dale and Ruthie worked side by side at their Phillip’s 66 station until their retirement.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Ruby Wilkerson, sister Shirley Ellis, daughter Dale Lynette Wilkerson and daughter Jaemie Delle French. John Dale is survived by sisters Juanita Wilkerson, Dixie Springer (Leon), Evelyn Roberts (Steve) and Karen Stephan (Duane). Brothers Ken Wilkerson (Dixie), Bill Wilkerson (Kay), Terry Wilkerson (Denise). Children Cindy Calhoun, Kevin Wilkerson, Mike Balding, and Pat Balding. Grandchildren include Nick Robbins, Tammy Cline, Angie Dall, Valerie Soboniak, Jacey Calhoun, Jake Calhoun, Christopher Wilkerson, Heather Wilkerson, Brittany Fowler, James Edmiston, Jesse Edmiston, Michael Balding, and Ciera Balding and many many great-grandchiildren.

He was deeply blessed and loved by his 5 sisters and 3 brothers.