Dale Gradel, 77, of Rock Island, passed away Wednesday February 8, 2017 at Clarissa Cook Hospice, Davenport.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00am Wednesday at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00pm Tuesday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Rock Island, with a rosary recited at 4pm. Burial will be in Rock Island Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to Jordan Catholic School, Rock Island.

Dale was born on November 15, 1939 in Kansas City, MO., the son of Henry C. and Minnie (Redel) Gradel. He was a graduate of Eureka High School, Eureka, MO. Dale married Yvonne "Bonnie" McCandless on May 2, 1964 in Rock Island. She preceded him in death on November 10, 2013.

He was a United States Army Veteran having served with 101st Airborne.

Mr. Gradel had been employed for 37 years at Oscar Meyer, Davenport in production control.

He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island, Knights of Columbus Allouez Council 658, both of Rock Island and the Davenport Yacht Club. Dale was a devoted to his faith and attended daily mass until he became ill. He also enjoyed attending his grandchildren's extra curricular activities, sail boating, watching the St. Louis Cardinals and participated in the State of Illinois Trap Shooting Championship in 1975.

Those left to cherish his memory are children, Jesse (Shelley) Gradel, Pensacola, FL, Cheryl Ann (Jeffrey) McClendon, Rock Island; grandchildren, Daniel Gradel, Timothy Gradel, Jonathon McClendon, Sarah Gradel, Justin McClendon and Jarred McClendon.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Christopher Gradel.