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Dale DeFrance
Dale Mr. D DeFrance, 81, of Marshalltown, a man who lived lifes three greatest passions- racing, racing and of course, racing, passed away on the morning of Monday, May 22nd, at the Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest in the Turner Cemetery in rural Garwin. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. The family would appreciate casual or racing attire to be worn in his honor. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234. Born on Christmas Eve of 1935, in Toledo, IA, he was the son of Arthur and Fern (Lowry) DeFrance. He graduated from the Toledo High Schools Class of 1954 and then served our country honorably in the United States Army. While stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, he met the lovely Ivey. On January 16th, 1958, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Ivey Mary Louise Pruitt, in a wedding officiated by her father, the Rev. Ivan Pruitt. Dale always commented he kidnapped her and the two shared nearly 54 years of a blessed marriage before her passing in 2011. Dale was a machinist for Fisher Controls in Marshalltown from 1959 until his retirement in January of 1998. He previously drove a contractor truck for the U.S. Postal service. His heart always was with his family, but his passions in life included racing (Pontiac Yellow and Black #44), going to the casino, racing go-karts in the 60s and time with friends. It was rewarding seeing his kids and grandkids inherit his passion of racing. Left to cherish his memory are his children: Judy (Rick) Gustin of Marshalltown and Darrel (Tanya) DeFrance of Marshalltown; the neighbor kid that wouldnt leave so Dale and Ivey adopted him as one of their own- Mike (Shelly) OLear; grandchildren- Jimmy (Monica) Gustin, Richie (Holly) Gustin, Brittany DeFrance (Dale Heinzer), Ryan (Kendra) Gustin, Jenae Gustin (Alex Hernandez), Laura Mathern, Sarah Andrews and Willie Mathern; ten great-grandchildren as well as other family members including Barbara Murty, Larry (Betty Long) DeFrance, Deb Anderson, Earl (Susie) Pruitt and oodles of nieces and nephews as well as friends. In death, Dale rejoined his beloved Ivey, his daughter Linda Louise who died in infancy, his mom and dad and many in-laws. Dale has now completed his last lap and the checkered flag has been waved. He has won the final race life gave him and now hes onto heavens track above.December 24, 1935 - May 22, 201712/24/193505/22/2017
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Dale DeFrance
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