Dale C. Sheldon

Dale Sheldon, formerly of Spalding and Albion, NE, passed away surrounded by family at Community Memorial Health Center, Burwell, NE at the age of 98

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the Sandhills Baptist Fellowship Church, Ericson, NE with Pastor John Schere officiating. Interment will be at Pibel Pleasant Hill Cemetery, near Ericson, NE with Military Rites conducted by American Legion Post #107 of Bartlett, Army Funeral Honor Guard, and American Legion Riders. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, at the church in Ericson, NE.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests memorials to: Pibel Pleasant Hill Cemetery, c/o Jean Niemeyer, P.O. Box 114, Ericson, NE 68637 or American Legion Post #107, c/o Duane Waddle, 224 Burlington Street, Ericson, NE 68637.

Levander Funeral Home of Albion, NE is in charge of the arrangements.

Dale Clarence Sheldon was born October 9, 1927, to Clarence H. and Alice Lorraine (Patchen) Sheldon in rural Polk County, Nebraska. He attended school in Bellwood, Nebraska. His family later lived in Columbus for a few years before moving in 1943 to a farm southeast of Bartlett in Wheeler County.

Dale joined the United States Army in October of 1946 and was stationed in Korea, where he served in the 20th Infantry. During his service, he helped build a hospital, barracks, and roads, and also drove regional officers to designated locations. He was honorably discharged on August 4, 1948.

In 1949, Dale purchased the “Sullivan” place southeast of Bartlett, which became his home for 65 years. He married Kathleen Miller on August 16, 1950, at the Presbyterian Church in Spalding. Together they raised two children, Vicky and Randy, and operated a farm and ranch where they raised Black Angus cattle. After the passing of his father, Dale also helped his mother with her ranch and livestock.

Dale began working for the Wheeler County Road Department in 1957 and continued until retiring at the age of 86. He also served a term as a Wheeler County Commissioner. He took great pride in maintaining county roads and removing snow during the winter. Dale was a member of the Bartlett Methodist Church, the Wheeler County Fair and Rodeo Board, and District #20 School Board. He was also a longtime member of American Legion Post #107, where he proudly carried the flag in many parades.

Dale enjoyed restoring antique farm machinery and took pride in his working tractors, often participating in local parades and farm shows. He and Kathleen also enjoyed square dancing and traveling on bus tours throughout the United States.

In 2014, Dale and Kathleen moved to Albion, where they formed many friendships and enjoyed community activities. Kathleen passed away in February 2020. Dale continued living independently until moving to the Burwell Community Health Center in 2022.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Lorraine Sheldon; a brother, Hankie, in infancy; and his wife, Kathleen; brother-in-law Ronald Demaray and niece Amy Demaray; parents-in-law: Roy and Marie Miller; brothers-in-law: Bill Maben; Orville Miller; Paul Butler, Kenneth Miller; sisters-in-law: Betty Miller, Eileen (Miller) Butler, and Rosella Miller.

Dale is survived by his daughter, Vicky (Ken) Childers of Lincoln, Nebraska; and his son, Randy (Laura) Sheldon of Spalding, NE; six grandchildren: Scott (Julie) Childers of Lincoln, NE; Crystal (Andy) Booker of Shawnee, OK; Bambi (Daren) Reynolds and children Dawson and Bryson of Lincoln, NE; Jason (Lacey) Sheldon and children Lane and Alice of Plymoth, NE; LeAnn (Marty) Leggett and children Griffin, Addison, and Riggin of Gandy, NE; and Tina (Matt) Kennedy and children Hadley and Hayden of McCook, NE; his sister, Ella Mae Demaray of Milford, NE; sister-in-law, Opal (Miller) Maben of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.