Ivan Dale Dobson passed peacefully from this life on March 10, 2022, at his home in rural Burlington.
He was born November 1, 1932, near Bald Bluff in rural Henderson County, Ill. He was the son of Raymond James and Lela Forshee Dobson. He went to school in Carmen, Ill., and graduated from Stronghurst High School in 1950.
He married Dottie Ilene Nickels on March 30, 1951, at St. Luke's United Church of Christ in Burlington. She died Dec. 27, 2006. They had three children, Dale Eugene of Rock Island, Ill., Leroy Dean (Becky) of Galesburg, Ill., and Denise Ann (Mike) Shaffer of Collierville, Tenn.
Ivan worked for Lagomarcino Ice Cream, Champion Spark Plug (Iowa Industries) where he retired after 34 years of service, and Burlington Community Schools. He served on the Three I Credit Union Board for many years.
Ivan loved baseball and played for Stronghurst High School plus church league and industrial league in Burlington. He managed the industrial league for many years. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan since 1942. He loved to play cards, dance, and spend time with his family and close friends.
He was a member of St. Luke's United Church of Christ, the Moose Lodge, and the Eagles Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, three brothers, four sisters, and one great-grandson.
He is survived by his three children; seven grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 20 step-great-grandchildren; a brother, Richard Dobson of Monmouth, Ill.; many nieces and nephews and their families; and his sweetheart, Bernice Formella of West Burlington.
The funeral service for Mr. Dobson will be at Lunning Chapel Wednesday, March 16 at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Peggy Stott officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 15 from 1 to 8 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Entombment will be in Burlington Memorial Park Mausoleum.
A memorial has been established for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.