OTTAWA – Dale J. McConville, 85, of Ottawa, passed away with his loving family at his side on March 3, 2018 at the Illinois Veterans Home in LaSalle.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 8 at St. Columba Church, Ottawa with Rev. David M. Kipfer celebrating. Entombment will be at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Oakwood Memorial Park with military honors by Ottawa American Legion Post 33 Veterans Group Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7 at Gladfelter Funeral Home, Ottawa with a prayer service at 2:45 p.m.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Evan and Luke Brightfield, Jordan Goldman, Alyssa Goldman, Collin, Kiley, and Alec Goetsch. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Jerry Corcoran, Jerry Hicks, Mike Crowley, Sr., William McConville and Richard McConville.

Dale was born March 19, 1932 in Hammond, Ind. to Mark B. and Marie (Halm) McConville. He married Phyllis Corcoran in September of 1956. He later married Judie (Hartshorn) Tabor on July 22, 1988. 

Survivors include his loving wife, Judie; his children, Dawn Brightfield, Pam (Brad) Goldman, Michele (Louie) Goetsch, Kim (Michael) Tobak and Sean McConville; two step-sons, Jeff (Tamara) Tabor and Marc (Kathy) Tabor; two brothers, William McConville and Richard (Marylea) McConville; one sister, Pat Walter; eight grandchildren; four step-grandchildren, Griffin, Gracyn, Zach and Lexie Tabor; and one great-granddaughter, Sydney Eick. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, James McConville; a son-in-law, Eric Brightfield; a brother-in-law, Alan Walter; and a sister-in-law, Joellen McConville.

Dale was raised on the family farm in Ophir Township. He and his brothers attended the one-room country school where all the students were McConvilles and McConville relatives. The teacher was the only female and the school board was comprised of his uncles. Dale would relate how the boys all took turns tending to the wood burning stove. He attended Mendota High School and attended St. Bede Academy for one year. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and served as a radio intercept operator. He attended and graduated from the University of Illinois, and later taught vocational ag at Braidwood High School. He was appointed by the LaSalle County Board of Supervisors to serve as the county’s first supervisor of assessments. During his tenure, he personally reviewed and assessed every parcel in the county. In 1963, he entered the real estate business as McConville Realty and Appraisals. He owned and operated the real estate sales business until 1989 when he sold the business to his wife, Judie, and Marilyn Gabehart. He then opened McConville Appraisal Services and served as a certified general appraiser until his retirement.

Dale served on the IVCC Board of Trustees for 22 years and was chairman of the board. He also served as president of the Illinois College Trustees Association (1987). He was president of the Illini Valley Board of Realtors in 1980 and was named its Realtor of the Year in 1981. He served as state president of the County Assessment Officers Association. Dale was elected to the La Salle County Board and served one four-year term. In 1988, he ran for and was elected La Salle County Treasurer. He was a member of both the Illinois Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors, was a member and served as president of the Farm and Land Institute for the Illinois Association of Realtors, and served as a member of the board for the Illinois Trust and Savings Bank. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and also served on the board of Friendship Village for many years. Other memberships included the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Moose Lodge, and the Knights of Columbus. He built and operated two car washes in Ottawa and Mendota. His interests also included traveling in his motorhome, fishing and camping and he was a devoted Chicago Cubs fan. Dale’s passion was his work.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Friendship Village or the Illinois Valley Community College Foundation.

To share a memory or light a candle, please visit www.gladfelterfuneralhome.com or Gladfelter Funeral Home on Facebook.