Dale R. Dropek

            Dale R. Dropek, 76, of Nichols, Iowa, formerly of Marseilles, Illinois, passed away Saturday, June 24, 2023 at his residence.

            Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 30^th at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf, Iowa.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.  Graveside services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at Riverview Cemetery in Marseilles.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family or to the Nichols Volunteer Fire Department.

            Dale was born December 13, 1946 in Ottawa, Illinois, the youngest son of Harold and Linda (Lardi) Dropek.  In 1964 he graduated from Marseilles High School and attended Illinois State University before returning to his hometown to begin his career at the Nabisco Plant.  He worked in various jobs at Nabisco after starting out as an “extra”, including sheet puller, electrician, and eventually maintenance department supervisor.  Dale made many lasting friendships and memories during his 20 years of service at Nabisco. On June 27, 1973, he married Linda K. Marler in Ellsinore, Missouri.   Together they raised two sons, Donald and Darren.  He moved his family to Litchfield, Illinois in 1986 where he began work at Consumer Plastics Corporation.  In 1992 the family settled in Wapello, Iowa where Dale worked at Central Can Corporation (later Pretium Packaging) until his retirement in 2004. 

            Dale always enjoyed winning a good debate, whether it be political or otherwise, and was known for his quick wit and sarcastic banter.  Despite being known as “The Hustler” in his earlier years, Dale loved the game of pool and enjoyed playing on the Busch Pool League where he made and maintained numerous friendships over the years.  His eclectic love of music was significant in the lives of his children, as they grew up knowing a vast array of genres and musicians spanning from the Clancy Brothers to Johnny Cash.  Dale was a talented woodworker and he dabbled in many home improvement projects with his wife by his side.  During football season, he became an armchair coach for the Chicago Bears and looked forward to he and his brother’s half-time commentary to discuss what could have been done better!  In his later years, Dale took pride in designing and building custom pool cues, relentlessly trying to create the perfect salsa recipe, and convincing everyone that decisions he had made in life “only seemed like a good idea at the time!”   

            Those left to honor his memory are his wife of 50 years, Linda Dropek of Nichols; sons, Don (Mindi) Dropek of Davenport, Iowa and Darren Dropek of Nichols; brother, Don (Judy) Dropek of Normal, Illinois, sisters-in-law, Betty (Denny) Woodard and Pat (Ronnie) Wilkins, all of Missouri; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

            He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Linda.