It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dale LaVerne Talkington. Dale passed at his home near Dorchester, NE surrounded by family after a short battle with cancer, at the age of 81.

Dale was born in Inavale, NE on December 31st, 1944, to Clarence and Mildred Beryl (Ritchie) Talkington. He grew up living in Inavale, NE, and Ceres, CA. Eventually the family would settle at the family farm near Inavale.

Dale’s early years were devoted to agriculture working the fields and with the livestock on the farm in Inavale, and also working the orchards while living in California. Dale would eventually attend school in Red Cloud, NE and graduate from high school there. After graduation he decided to see what life was like outside of the farm, and took a job as an equipment operator building the interstate in Kansas. While at this job he was drafted into the armed forces to serve his country during Vietnam. Rather than going in as a draftee, he enlisted into the United States Navy with aspirations of being a naval pilot. When the Navy got his test scores back, they talked him into pursuing their military intelligence program. Which he once stated was the dumbest thing he ever did, as flying jets would have been way more fun than decoding communications. Dale served his time in the Navy aboard the USS DALE, which included a 6-month deployment in the Gulf of Tonkin providing direct support to ground troops and other naval fleet ships during the Vietnam War. Dales’ primary duty while shipboard was to be in charge of all enlisted service records. He was also a member of the nuclear weapons reliability board, and the nuclear weapons security force. He also served as the captains personal assistant, and as his captain stated in Dales’ performance review, he performed brilliantly as his personal communicator during combat operations.

After his time in the Navy, Dale lived for a short time in Long Beach, California where he started work as an electrician, and also achieved a highlight of his life by meeting Elvis Presley. Eventually, he found his way back to Nebraska, where he continued his work as an electrician while attending Fairbury junior college. While attending college he met his future wife, Carol Troxel. Although ultimately this union wouldn’t last, it would produce his three children, Tricia, Bradley, and Brian.

After graduating with honors and obtaining his associates of arts degree, and a brief stay in Lincoln, Dale and his family would settle down in Crete, Ne. This is where he would start his own electrical business, Dales’ Electric. Even while starting a new business, and supporting his young family, he would still go back to help on the family farm.

Dales’ Electric would grow into a general contracting business called RST Contractors and eventually lead back to him being self-employed under Alltech Electric, which he was still running until just days before his passing.

In the spring of 1998 Dale met Rebecca Townsend, who would be his companion the remainder of his life. After their marriage on April 24th 1999, Dale would gain more than a wife and companion; he gained a step-daughter, Kari, a step-son James, and several grandchildren. These grandchildren would thrust him into his favorite role in life: a grandfather.

In the community of Crete, Dale was known for his honesty, integrity, and work ethic as an electrician. He was known by his friends and colleagues for his love of conversation, golf, never being seen without his coffee cup – that he could also never seem to find - and his willingness to help them when they were in need of it. Most important to him, he was known as the father and grandfather that was always there to support them anytime they needed it.

In his later years, Dale discovered a love for golf and you could catch him on a course almost every day, even traveling to different towns and states just to experience new courses. He loved listening to music, primarily country, and hymnal. The music would eventually take a back seat when he discovered talk radio. He also enjoyed playing his guitar, and using his computer to research various topics of interest.

Dale was very devout in his love of God and Jesus, and at the end was very welcoming of the thought of being in their presence as his life on Earth was ending.

Dale is survived by his wife Rebecca (Townsend) Talkington; Daughter Tricia (Don) Bruha of Lincoln, NE; Sons Bradley (Holly) Talkington of Aurora, NE; Brian Talkington of Exeter, NE; Step-daughter Kari Blackbear of Wichita, KS; and step-son James Blackbear, also of Wichita, KS.

He is also survived by his sister Donna Talkington of Crete, NE; Sister-in-law Florence (Ed) Howe of Blanchard, OK; grandchildren Ethan and Seth (Teerra Payne) Bruha; Gabriel, Annalese, Madison, Alexander, Lucas, Kelsey, Abigail, Eli, and Alexis Talkington; Rebecca (Brett Baugh) Williamson, Sarah (Christian) Rupp, Aaron (Anna) Williamson, and Tisha Blackbear; great-grandchildren Trinity, Dominic, Sheree, Brasais, Christian, Aiyana, and Asher. As well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Mildred (Ritchie) Talkington. Brothers Clarence “Ardel” and Eldon Talkington; sisters Mildred “Elaine” Holtzen and Joyce Talkington; Brothers-in-law Dennis Holtzen, Ted Townsend, and Pete Townsend; sisters-in-law Jeanette Talkington, Nila (Ed) Pearman, Dena (Robert) Henson, Martha Townsend and Betsy Townsend.

There will be a viewing on Friday October 2nd, at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will start at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday October 3rd at the funeral home. Dale's family would also like to invite you to a reception immediately following the services at the VFW club in Crete, NE.