Dale Max Detwiler, son of Henry Allen & Hilma (Drotts) Detwiler, passed away September 5, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska at the age of 89.

Dale was born March 22, 1923 on the family farm in Athol, Kansas. He attended Cedar Ridge Grade School and graduated from Athol High School in 1941. Following high school he served in the United States Army for three years.

On May 1, 1948 Dale married Dorothy Noffsinger in Osborne, Kansas. They made their home on the farm south of Athol, operating a Grade A dairy and farming until 1972 when they moved into their current home in Kensington. Their union was blessed with four children: Linda Kaye, Milton Dale, Joyce Elaine, and Marcia Beth.

Dale served as Mayor of Kensington and also on the Board of Education of USD #238. He was an active member of the United Church of Kensington and a charter member of the Kensington Lions Club, serving for over 50 years. For many of those years he held the office of Treasurer and also boasted a perfect attendance record. Dale was a Melvin Jones fellow in Lions Club and also held zone, regional and state offices. He and his wife, Dorothy, organized and stocked the concession stand for the local youth baseball and softball games for many years and also organized and ordered Christmas cheer plates for senior citizens.

Dale worked for the USDA Farm Service Agency for over 30 years in Smith, Pottawatomie and Rooks counties, retiring in 1985. Following his retirement, he and Dorothy enjoyed several cruises, a trip to England, and a trip to Switzerland to visit relatives. Dale continued his love of agriculture by working as a crop insurance adjuster for several years before retiring in 2010 due to health reasons.

He loved to watch sports of any kind and always had the ballgames on TV and radio. Many miles were traveled following his grandkids' sporting events and 4-H and livestock shows. Dale was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather whose life revolved around his family. He will be deeply missed by his many friends, neighbors & family members.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Allen & Hilma Detwiler; a grandson, Clint Christy; and a great-grandson, Ryan Struckhoff.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy; his four children and spouses: Linda & Arnold Smith of Madison, KS; Milton & Charlotte Detwiler of Kensington, KS; Joyce & Todd Lenker of Phillipsburg, KS; and Marcia & Dean Hrabe of Stockton, KS; 14 grandchildren: Marcus & Melanie Smith, Topeka; Cameron & Amber Smith, Bentonville, AR; Beth Standley, Athol; Theresa & Lance McDowell, Smith Center; Bobbi & Justin Basart, Stockton; Nicki & Darren Grauerholz, Kensington; Joshua & Sivi Detwiler, Carey, NC; Jennifer & Don Dodds, Kensington; Emi Fuentes, Colby; Kane & Brandy Christy, Kirwin; Keath Christy, Glade; Courtney & Logan Flower, Plainville; and Cody Hrabe, Stockton. Also surviving are 31 great-grandchildren: Kahlen & Kinley Smith; Valerie, Kimmy, Brandon, Bryce & Tristen Standley; Jacqueline & Randy Dues; Mariah, Cole & Cale McDowell; Alyssa & Jordan Jones; Ashley, Ragen, Reese & Addie Struckhoff; Rylan & Jalen Basart; Lindsey & Taylor Redinger; Cheyenne, Brandon & Cameron Grauerholz; Chloe-Ann, Samuel & Emmanuel Detwiler; Kaydence & Braxtyn Dodds; Izabella Fuentes; and Blayze & Azariah Christy; as well as three great-great-grandchildren: Kaley Jones, Desmond McDowell and Devon Branch, Jr. Two brothers also survive: Dick Detwiler of Athol and Loren Detwiler & wife, Helen, of Estes Park, CO; along with three sisters: Maxine Powell and Darlene Detwiler, both of Hutchinson and Carol Overmiller & husband, Verne, of Smith Center, KS.

Funeral services will be held Monday, Sept. 10, at 10:30 a.m. in the United Church of Kensington, Kensington, KS with Pastors Becky Saddler & Melody Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Cedar Cemetery, Cedar, KS.

Visitation will be Sat. & Sun. from noon – 9 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Kensington Lions Club or the United Church of Kensington.