Dale “Chipper” Leroy Charlton
In the early morning hours of May 16, 2015, Dale passed away in his bedroom at his residence of 37 years in Helena, Montana. Dale had been battling a chronic illness and was ready to breathe easier. He was 75 years old.
Dale Charlton was born in the town of Malta in Phillips County, Montana on September 9, 1939. He was the second child and only son of Alfred Murville and Florence Dorothy Dyrdahl Charlton.
Dale grew up on a ranch south of Malta. He spent much of his young life on a horse moving cattle and tending to the sugar beets. Growing up with five sisters gave Dale a unique perspective on life. A passage from a poem by his sister Judy best sums up his boyhood, “He tormented his sisters, with teasing and pranks. His swimming holes were the water tanks. From the very moment he learned to drive, they didn’t know how long he’d be alive.” Dale managed to stay alive and graduated from Malta High School.
Not long after high school, he met his future bride Darlene. Dale and Darlene were married in Wolf Point on February 27, 1959. While Dale had ranching in his blood, he knew he liked horsepower more than horses. Dale and Darlene moved to Lewistown in 1959 where they had their first child Vince. Dale worked for Safeway as a meat cutter. In 1960 the young couple moved to Helena and welcomed their daughter Valarie. Dale continued as a meat cutter, but soon moved on to other jobs that often involved motors. He eventually settled on a career as a heavy equipment operator. Shawn completed the Charlton family in 1964.
Dale loved running heavy equipment. He had many adventures that he and others loved to tell the stories of. One often told was tipping a Ford backhoe over and almost crushing himself to death after forgetting to set the stabilizers. When he wasn’t at work, Chipper as he was known by his friends and co-workers could be found enjoying life. Dale taught his kids to ride motorcycles at an early age. He spent plenty of time with a shotgun at the trap club or hunting pheasants.
While Dale loved his work, his body began to tell him otherwise. After retirement he took up woodworking and spent countless hours in his “man cave.” Family and friends could count on receiving his handiwork as gifts to adorn their homes and yards.
Dale was preceded in death by his father Alfred, his mother Florence, son Shawn, and sisters JoAnn Waters, Judy Korsbeck and Darlene Sims.
Dale is survived by his loving wife Darlene, son Vince (Teresa) Charlton, daughter Valarie (Jimmer) Manolovits, sisters Vicki (Wes) Kroll and Kathy (Les) Bebee of Havre, grandchildren Scott (Hillary) Wandler of Missoula, Michelle (Loren) Brown, Klaralee Charlton (Ron Mosness) of Denver, CO, Lindsay Charlton and Tyler Kovick, great-granddaughter Grace Wandler, brother-in-law Don Waters of Malta and numerous nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to Dr. Blevins and the staff at Benefis Hospital for all of their outstanding care of Dale over the last few years.
A memorial service celebrating Dale’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A reception will follow the memorial service in the social center of the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Lewis & Clark Humane Society, PO Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday May 23, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the memorial service
Saturday May 23, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday May 23, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the memorial service
Saturday May 23, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Linda and Tim Opie says
Dear Darlene and Family,
So Sorry to hear of Dale’s passing. We had so many good times years ago, at the lake and on road trips. Oh if only time could stand still.
God Bless
Tim and Linda
Evy Burris Sass says
Dear Darlene, Family & Loved ones, I am deeply saddened by your loss of Dale. I know you cherish the memories of the fun times spent together. I especially like to remember all the motorcycle flat track races with our kids Vince & Kirk, (Shawn & Val were still little) moto cross events, & camping out with all the fun group. Those were truly wonderful fun filled days & nights. May the loved of those around you help you through the days ahead.
bj benjamin says
so sorry darlene and family you are always in my prayers i’m at a loss for words but have lots of hugs for u and your hugs
Jim & Jan Haney says
Darlene and the kids, Jan and I are very saddened with the news of Dale’s passing but am very thankful of your friendship and most of all for standing up for Jan and I at our wedding almost 43 years ago, Dale was the first person that I met when I moved to Helena back in 68/69, he had the Conoco station then, I also remember the motorcycle days and always trying to get one running good enough to win a race or two, oh and then there were the house parties , Wow! I also remember when Dale and I took off for Minot, North Dakota to work building a pipeline , we shared a motel room in a little town called Ruthville , what times they were. Here’s to a good Man !!
Sharon and Don Wombold says
So sorry for your loss. Dale was a great guy and will be missed by many. We’re sorry we won’t be able to attend the services.
Ed Burris says
Darlene and Family… I’m saddened by the news of Dale. It’s been a few years but I have very fond memories of Dale and the times our families spent together. The world has lost a good, good man!!
Sandra Benson (Poor) says
Darlene and Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Chipper, he was a wonderful man and a great friend to Lanny and I. I know he will be greatly missed by all. Praying for God’s peace for you all.
Ron Magill says
Darlene and Family, I have known Dale for about 48 years. He is the kind of guy that if you are in a bind and need a helping hand, he’s there. He would help put on the Motorcycle Hill Climb at the lake or run a backhoe if I was short handed on a job. He was never short on a smile or a grin. He wasn’t short on stories either. I think of this one quite often. Dale had a skunk problem one summer. This one skunk would not leave. After thinking on it for a couple of days, he came up with a plan. Using a live trap, he caught that skunk, then came the job of relocating it away from his place. He found out in a quick hurry the skunk didn’t like him or the live trap. He would never tell me what he did with the skunk, but he said he gave up some good gloves and coveralls and it took about 3 months of soaking his live trap in the creek before he could handle it again. Dale will be missed.
Judy Palmquist says
I remember a lively and talkative group of men who would gather in all weather to take their walk and get coffee together as their wives took class with me (or Mary Kay) at Fitness is Our Business. What great times we all had. My prayer is for your healing and peace. It is so difficult to lose a life partner. Take good care of yourself. My thoughts with your family too.
Dear Uncle Dale and Aunt Darlene says
I so wish I could go back and relive the memories spent so many summers with you but especially that one year where Mom and Dad let me stay with you through the summer. I always looked forward to our trips to Helena! Could hardly wait for the next summer vacation! I was so happy that you had a chance to meet my husband Kevin and our road trips on the backroads to Great Falls and the many tavern stops along the way! Uncle Dale . . . you knew every one or at the least you were the very best at making friends with everyone! Our Mom was the happiest when we returned to her homeland of Montana and my heart is happy knowing she is with such an enjoyable and remarkable spirit. Thank you Uncle Dale for your ever loving happy spirit that I will hold closely forevermore. So much love and I will miss you forever. Your endearing niece, Cathy Maine (Scott)