Dale L. Besse, 85, of Collinsville, passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2017. Dale was born on August 26, 1932 in East St. Louis, IL to Raymond and Gladys, nee Blawey, Besse.

He married Arlene Sebastian in 1957. She preceded him in death in 2014, after 57 years of marriage.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; one brother Ramon Besse and sister-in-law, Nona Besse.

Surviving are his sons, Richard (Kathleen) Besse of Troy, IL and Ronald A. (Haifa) Besse of Troy, IL; grandchildren, Megan (Bryce), Ryan, Alex, LeyAna, Adam, Jeaneane; two great-grandchildren, Layla and Brylie; one brother, Ronald C. (Judy) Besse of Belleville; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Dale was a bat boy of East St. Louis Blue Jays in 1938.
From age 11-82, Dale was a member of Boy Scout Troup 22 in East St. Louis.

He proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Sargent. He served in the 49th Division Oklahoma National Guard during the Korean War, from 1952-1953.

He was employed with International Harvester from 1958-1969. He was a member of Collinsville Democrats Club in the 70s.
He graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1970, majoring in history and biology. He then taught biology to junior high and high school classes at Collinsville Unit 10.

Dale was very active in American Indian Civic Talks on Plains American Indians, and very involved in other organizations, St. Louis Indian Society, Cahokia Mounds, and Illinois Native American Indian Committee. He was a highly skilled craftsman of bead work and Plains Indian regalia, pow wows, singing and dancing, in which he enjoyed throughout his entire life. He enjoyed teaching and expanding his knowledge by taking SIUE students to Oklahoma to help in Shawnee/Cherokee Reservations for "spring break" projects throughout several years.

Dale was impressed by St. Louis Honor Flight and felt it was a great organization.

Dale was a wonderful parents, grandparent, great-grandparent and had friends, too many to count. He was the best damn Dad, Papa, Great-Papa and friend you could ever ask for or dream of.

All will find him missed tremendously and we are forever thankful for knowing him.

VISITATION: A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 7, 2017 from 4:00 P.M.- 8:00 P.M. at Herr Funeral Home in Collinsville, IL.

FUNERAL:
A funeral for Dale will be held on Friday, September 8, 2017 at 10:30 A.M. at Herr Funeral Home in Collinsville. Pastor Fred Kraemer will officiate.

Interment will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.

Memorial donations may be made to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital and VITAS Healthcare Hospice. Additional condolences may also be sent to the family through this online guestbook.