Dale Henry Lovekamp, 88, of Beardstown died peacefully with his family at his side on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
    He was born Sept. 27, 1932, in Arenzville, the son of Robert Henry and Minnie Roegge Lovekamp. He married Wyllia June Tucker on Feb. 13, 1954, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beardstown and she survives. They have been married 66 years.
    He is also survived by two children Cynthia (husband Richard Emmons) Lovekamp of Paola, KS and Steven Lovekamp of Findlay; two grandsons, Tyler and Trevor Lovekamp; several great-grandchildren; two sisters, Blanche (husband Don) Chipman of Beardstown and Alice Binder of Highlands Ranch, CO; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
    He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Leatha Ryan, Francis Cooper, and Jeanette Foster, and two brothers, Glen and Byron Lovekamp.
    Dale was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arenzville and attended St. John’s Lutheran School and graduated from Beardstown High School in the class of 1950. He honorably served in the United States Army for three years during the Korean Conflict in communications. Upon returning home, he married his longtime sweetheart, Wyllia, and began a 45-year career with CIPS and retired as a Chief Load Dispatcher. Dale was a confirmed member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beardstown. He was also a member of Beardstown Jaycees, Arenzville American Legion, and a lifelong member of Guthrie-Pierce VFW Post #1239 in Beardstown, where he held every position including commander and could be seen driving the Jeep in parades.
    Dale liked to keep busy. He enjoyed being outdoors fishing, duck hunting, turtle trapping, and Native American history and artifacts. He spent many years growing and selling watermelons with his son Steve and still sold them this past summer. He was a proud American patriot who loved his God and country. Dale remained very active with veterans, serving in the color guard, and “playing” taps on the bugle at dozens of military funerals. He served as a Republican Committeeman and was responsible for cleaning up multiple cemeteries in the area and placing flags at cemeteries during Memorial and Veterans Day. Most importantly, Dale was proud of his family and he will be missed by all.
    Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beardstown. Burial will be in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. The family will meet with friends from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown.
    Memorials have been suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church Guthrie-Pierce VFW Post #1239. Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.comor on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.