Dale P. Shines

July 1, 1981 ~ March 22, 2022 (age 40)

Dale P. Shines, 40 years old, passed at 6:02pm on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. Dale was born on July 1, 1981, in South Bend, Indiana, to Henry and Mary (Shines) Barnes. 

Dale is survived by his parents, Henry and Mary Barnes; brother, Kevin (Miranda) Barnes; very special cousin, Terry Ivory; and a special nephew and running buddy, Adrian Price, all of South Bend, Indiana. Dale is also survived by two nieces, Paige Barnes and Kennedy Barnes of South Bend; two nephews, Aidan Barnes of South Bend, and Addison Barnes of Elkhart, Indiana; and great-nephew, Kharter Lipsey of South Bend; along with a host of extended family and friends.

Dale is an outstanding example of a student who successfully navigated South Bend Community schools. He attended Kennedy Elementary School, Dickinson Middle School, and in 1999, he graduated from LaSalle High School, prepared to leave a successful legacy. He was a Boy Scout and was awarded multiple badges. He promised to plant a tree, and that tree is still thriving in his parent’s backyard. As a member of JROTC, he mentored young students about life issues.

Dale was not all work and no play or relaxation; from 1990-1991, he was on a bowling league at Parkway Lanes with his cousin, Ricky Shines.

At six years of age until he graduated from high school, Dale's after-school activity consisted of going to the neighborhood Kreamo Bakery to help customers with their packages. Because of his pleasant personality and work ethic, he was entrusted with additional responsibility. The patrons and staff loved him.

Dale was a strategic thinker. As a child, he envisioned future employment opportunities and planned to have the career and employment opportunities he envisioned. Every position he held, started as a dream, and he knew exactly what was required to accomplish his career goals.

After high school graduation, Dale honorably served in the United States Navy, aboard the USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) aircraft carrier from 1999 to 2002.

His next career goal and accomplishment was security sergeant/officer for Saint Mary's College from 2003 to 2010.

His next career path and goal was security officer for St. Joseph Regional Medical Center from 2008 to 2011.

His next career path was conductor/engineer for Norfolk Southern Railroad from 2011 to 2017.

His next career goal was Officer in Charge for St. Joseph County - DuComb Center from 2017 to 2021.

His next career goal was reserve police officer for St. Joseph County Police in 2019.

His final earthly career goal was special deputy of the court from 2021-2022.

Dale was a cat lover. His cat of twelve years, Pixie, will miss him dearly. Dale was also a bird watcher. He had several bird feeders in his backyard. If you heard a bird sound, he could tell you what bird made the sound.

Dale was an avid collector of miniature train sets. Whenever he could find the time, Dale would go fishing with his father in his boat. And most of all, what his family and friends loved about Dale, was his Christmas cookie baking. He made cookies ‘from scratch’ and shared cookies with everyone. 

His care and concern extended beyond cookies and laughter. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. If you needed a place to stay, he would invite you to stay in his home.

Dale was a quiet, very caring, funny person.  He loved special coffee from Bamber's Superette Market. Dale loved to play UNO and checkers. Dale also loved meeting at different establishments once a week with some of his good friends: Naomi, Antonia, Phil, Kyle, Donald, Clayton, Gina, and Matt, to name a few, for trivia night which Dale really enjoyed. Dale friends, Nikki and Phil, were checking on him when he wasn't doing so well. His father and mother called this group of friends, the “Allen Street Gang."

He kept his family and friends laughing. On a serious note, everyone knew not to interrupt him or get in his way when it was time to watch In the Heat of the Night.

Dale was preceded in death by his grandparents, Henry and Ruth Barnes; and Leroy and Mamie Lee (Barnhill) Shines. His special uncle and aunt, James and Helen (Shines) Purchas; and aunt, Helen (Shines) Bowens.

The family would like for you to remember Dale the last time you saw him. He was either smiling or making a joke.

Don’t remember Dale with sadness.

Don't remember Dale with tears.

Just think of all the laughter Dale shared with you throughout the years.

I will have to say, I will miss hearing every time he stepped into the house "Mama, what's for dinner?"

Sleep with the Angels my son –

Mama 

Funeral services for Dale will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at Palmer Funeral Home—West Chapel, 2702 Lincolnway West, South Bend, IN. Dorothy Bowles will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at Highland Cemetery in South Bend. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00-11:00am on Wednesday at the funeral home prior to the service.

Donations in Dale’s memory may be made to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116; or National Kidney Foundation, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

4/03/2022 EJS/JC