Dale Leroy Blumenthal, 72

Dale Leroy Blumenthal, 72, passed away Monday, June 18, 2007, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Sturgis, S.D., on Jan. 9, 1935, to Hugo and Pearl (Herriman) Blumenthal.

Dale's early years were spent on the Sioux Indian Reservation where his father was a missionary. He attended grade schools in South Dakota and Montana, three years at Polson High School and then graduated from Centralia High School in Centralia, Wash. Dale served four years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He was deployed on the destroyer USS Halsey Powell the entire time.

Dale married Carol Miller in San Diego in 1956. They were later divorced.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, he began working for the Boeing Company. He retired as an industrial engineer in 1994.

Dale married Delphia Vinnedge, a high school sweetheart, in Kalispell on June 18, 1994. They made their home in Kalispell.

Making music was such a large part of Dale's life, and his guitar fit perfectly on his lap. He loved to sing to audiences, large and small. He loved worship and Bible studies in his church, and he had a song in his head for every sermon text.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Juanita; and a grandson, Matthew.

He is survived by his wife, Delphia Blumenthal, of Kalispell; three sons, Michael Blumenthal, Daniel and Marie Blumenthal of Puyallup, Wash., and Brett and Tami Blumenthal of Graham, Wash.; two daughters; Shellee Wolff of Tacoma, Wash., and Susan Wyatt of Yakima, Wash. He also leaves five stepchildren, Steven and Donna Vinnedge, Mac and Jodie Vinnedge, Paula and Candido Araujo, Pam and Don Spengler, and Lydia Bunten; 18 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Dale will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 22, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church with Pastor Debra Koch officiating. Burial will precede the services at 10 a.m. in the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. today, June 21, in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel.

The family suggests that a gift in remembrance of Dale be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, The Dialysis Center Patients Fund, Samaritan's Purse, or the charity of your choice.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Dale's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Dale's guest book.