Dale L. Flora

Dale L. Flora, 87, Fort Wayne, formerly of North Manchester, Indiana, passed away at 10:54 a.m. on July 28, 2019 at Parkview Huntington Hospital, Huntington, Indiana. One of eight children, Dale was born in Hoagland, Indiana on October 16, 1931 to Robert C. and Josephine (Harrod) Flora.

After graduating from Hoagland High School in 1950 where he held the scoring record for Allen County, Indiana in basketball, Dale went on to receive his Bachelors’ of Science from Purdue University with a degree in Ag Education. In 1962 he received his Master’s degree from Purdue University in Education and Administration. After graduating from Purdue in 1954, Dale went to Lagro High School and taught Ag, Biology, and Chemistry for two years. In 1956 he began teaching at Laketon High School. Before retiring in 1992, Dale spent the last 38 years of his professional career as a Guidance Director at Manchester High School. He was a long-time 4-H leader.

On June 1, 1952 Dale married Beulah J. Bosler. The two would winter in Mission, Texas for 16 years before Beulah passed away on April 9, 2011. They were wed for nearly 59 years. Dale was lucky enough and found love again. On November 26, 2011 he married Marilyn Thompson. She later passed away on February 15, 2018.

In 1950 Dale joined the International Harvesters Industrial League as a pitcher for fast pitch softball. Dale and Beulah loved traveling and visiting all fifty states. Later in life, Dale enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and watching anything having to do with Purdue. Most of all though, he loved spending time with his granddaughters. In the center of Dale’s life was his faith. He was a member of Congregational Christian Church, North Manchester, Indiana and Ijamsville United Methodist Church, Ijamsville, Indiana.

The loving memory of Dale L. Flora will be remembered by his three sons, Michael J. (Marsha) Flora, Fort Wayne, Thomas D. (Janet) Flora, LaGrange, Indiana and Daniel B. (Teresa) Flora, North Manchester; two step-sons, Fred (Debbie) Thompson, North Manchester and Terry (Vicki) Thompson, Harrison, Indiana; two brothers, Willis (Doris) Flora, New Palestine, Indiana and Robert W. (Vicki) Flora, Liberty, Missouri; two sisters, Elsie Van Vranken, Florida and Roselyn (Winston) Lister, Rio Verde, Arizona; eight granddaughters, Darcy (David Neiman) Flora, Jaime (Chadd) Keaffaber, Lydia (Kenny) Young, Veronica (Raul) Reyes-Flora, Megan (James) Chappo, Maria (Greg) Whicker, Larissa Flora, and Amelia (Joe) Bradley; eleven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two wives; one brother, Glenn Flora; two sisters, Eileen Fluke and Martha Ann Whittern.

Family and friends may call Thursday, August 1, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, Indiana. Funeral services will begin Friday, August 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with calling one hour prior at Timbercrest Chapel, 2201 East Street, North Manchester, Indiana. Pastor J.P. Freeman and Pastor Kent Harting will officiate. Burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery, 600 Beckley Street, North Manchester, Indiana.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Dale L. Flora, memorial contributions may be made to Timbercrest Charitable Assistance Fund, P.O. Box 501, North Manchester, Indiana 46962 or Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, 403 West Wood Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907.

Arrangements are entrusted to McKee Mortuary.

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