John Richard Dales

Nov. 26, 1961 - Jul. 30,2016

John Richard Dales left our world on July 30, 2016, after 20 years of complications from diabetes and liver disease.    He was born to Betty and Norm Dales on Nov. 26, 1961 and lived most of his life in the South Bend area. 

His childhood and teenage years were filled with building forts, playing baseball for JBA and riding his bike to the lake.  He remained friends with many of his childhood companions for his entire life.  After getting a degree in journalism at IU Bloomington, John returned to this area where he married Kristin Janowsky.  They had one child, a son, Sam Dales.   Although their marriage ended, John remained an active presence in his son’s life.  Sam was the shining light of John’s life, and brought joy and pride to him until the very end.  John found his true calling in the role of parent to his son.  Sam made him very proud in all areas of his life, and most recently in his acceptance to graduate school in Oregon.

John had a wry sense of humor.  He loved words, the English language, bad puns, skiing, finding the perfect card and present for each person celebrating a birthday or holiday, fine dining, IU basketball and Chicago Cubs baseball.   He was passionately liberal about politics, and enjoyed lively debates on the subject.  He loved travel and dining out.  His one regret was that his health issues prevented him from further travel, with so many more places to see, and more restaurants to discover, and sample before his death. His adored his dog, Maya and she was a daily visitor these past months while John was in the hospital and nursing home.

In addition to his son Sam, John is survived by his father, Norm Dales, his sister, Patricia (Lester) Hans, nieces Roberta (Cory) Earley and Emily (Mathew) Haskins, Mishana (David) Conlee, Jessica (Don) Wieczorkowski,  a great niece Delilah, and nephews, Aiden and Landon, and several other great nieces and nephews.  John was preceded in death by his sister, Roberta Dales, who died in 1981 and mother who died in 2003.  John was blessed with a close and loving family, for whom John will be missed beyond words.  However, his presence will live on with them.  Rest in peace, John.

A memorial service and mass for John will be at the Cathedral of St. James, 117 Lafayette Street, South Bend, IN, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 13th, 2016.  Visitation will be from 9:00 am to 11:00 am prior to the service and a luncheon will follow at noon.

 In lieu of flowers, John requested that you please vote for ANYONE but Donald Trump, because he will roll over in his grave if Mr. Trump is elected!  (This message was authorized and approved by John prior to his death!)  Should you wish to make a donation, either the Cathedral of St. James or the Clay Township Fire Department, the members of which always responded promptly and with great compassion to John’s medical emergencies during the last 5 years, would be worthy causes and had John’s approval.

Palmer Funeral Home-River Park Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

05/05/2021 DEC

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