
Dale John Gavin
Dale John Gavin, 89, died May 31, 2022, at the Des Moines VA hospice after suffering from complications of cancer. After high school, Dale joined the Army and served in the Korean War. In 1955, he married Patricia (Patty) Miller.
Dale worked for Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel for 10 years. One of his projects was the St. Louis Arch. He and Patty operated Gavin TV and Appliance for 57 years. He also owned and operated school buses for more than 40 years. He served as volunteer fire chief for 28 years. Dale and others were responsible for starting St. Mary’s Volunteer Fire Department in the 1970s. He was also awarded a medal on the 50th anniversary of the Korean War from the South Korean Government Ambassador in Des Moines and the Ambassador of Peace medal in a ceremony in South Korea. Dale was involved in his community including the American Legion and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. In addition, he served as an emergency first responder and unofficial tornado chaser.
He is survived by his wife; five children, Pam Gavin, Cathy (Scott) Wiegert, Tim (Mary) Gavin, Beth (John) Manley and Alan (Emily) Gavin; nine grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and seven brothers.
A funeral mass was held on Tuesday, June 7 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys. Memorial contributions can be sent to Saint Mary’s Fire Department, P.O. Box 95, St. Marys, IA 50241 or Gofundme.com/the-battle-is-on-for-aj-sean.
Dale worked for Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel for 10 years. One of his projects was the St. Louis Arch. He and Patty operated Gavin TV and Appliance for 57 years. He also owned and operated school buses for more than 40 years. He served as volunteer fire chief for 28 years. Dale and others were responsible for starting St. Mary’s Volunteer Fire Department in the 1970s. He was also awarded a medal on the 50th anniversary of the Korean War from the South Korean Government Ambassador in Des Moines and the Ambassador of Peace medal in a ceremony in South Korea. Dale was involved in his community including the American Legion and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. In addition, he served as an emergency first responder and unofficial tornado chaser.
He is survived by his wife; five children, Pam Gavin, Cathy (Scott) Wiegert, Tim (Mary) Gavin, Beth (John) Manley and Alan (Emily) Gavin; nine grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and seven brothers.
A funeral mass was held on Tuesday, June 7 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys. Memorial contributions can be sent to Saint Mary’s Fire Department, P.O. Box 95, St. Marys, IA 50241 or Gofundme.com/the-battle-is-on-for-aj-sean.