SR0656 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0656 LRB104 21085 MST 35225 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. John B. Dale of Brimfield, who passed away on February 15, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dale was born in Mt. Vernon to Bruce and Diana (Jones) Dale on December 14, 1969; he graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1988, where he was class president and valedictorian; he attended Washington University in St. Louis and then Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, where he received his doctorate in 1995; he married Sarah E. McKee in Alton on September 10, 1994; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dale served in the U.S. Navy as a dentist for seven years, achieving the rank of lieutenant commander; he was stationed in Maryland and Rhode Island and overseas in Japan; he was decorated with seven medals for outstanding achievement and service and began a clinic for dependent spouses and children while stationed in Japan; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dale left the military and returned to school at the St. Louis University-Center for Advanced Dental Education, where he received his Master of Science and Endodontic Specialty degree in 2001; he practiced in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area for more than three years and then opened his own endodontist office in Peoria in February of 2004; he became a diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics in 2008; he opened his second location adjacent to Illinois Central College in 2016; he prided himself on spending time with patients to explain procedures while providing treatment as gently and quickly as possible and to the highest of standards; he believed in treating each patient as he would want his loved ones to be treated; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dale's professional memberships and affiliations included, Diplomate with the American Board of Endodontics, the Edgar D. Coolidge Study Club, the American Association of Endodontics, the Illinois Endodontic Association, the Illinois State Dental Society, the Peoria District Dental Society, the American Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry (1995-2001); and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dale pursued many hobbies; he was a high school and college baseball umpire and a boy's high school basketball referee for many years; he was well-versed in playing many musical instruments and was currently studying cello; he was a private pilot who was working on becoming instrument rated; he loved watching old movies, traveling, reading, art, and spending time with family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dale was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Kickapoo; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dale was preceded in death by his brother, Tim Dale; his beloved grandparents; and his uncle, Larry Reynolds; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Dale is survived by his wife, Sarah; his daughter, Elizabeth Dale; his mother and stepfather, Diana and Ron Winternheimer; his father and stepmother, Bruce and Candace Dale; his sister, Kristen (Rodney) Tracer; his nephews, Grayson, Gavin, and Griffin; two stepbrothers; one stepsister; and many dear aunts, uncles, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dr. John B. Dale and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Dale as a symbol of our deepest sympathy.