Dale H Sinclair's Obituary
Taps have sounded. Another brave member of the "greatest generation" has died. Dale H. Sinclair passed away September 3, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. at Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana. Dale was born in the roaring twenties, December 23, 1922, in Martinsville, Illinois, reared during the devastating depression, went off to college only to have his studies interrupted by World War II. He resumed college after being discharged from the U. S. Army, married and began his career in the farm machinery business. Mr. Sinclair loved the land and was an excellent steward of it. He truly enjoyed the farm equipment business, those he worked with, his customers and the camaraderie of farm equipment dealers nation wide. Since 1990 when Dale sold Sinclair Implement Company and retired, he missed seeing his old friends and the manufacture representatives that called on him through the years. Mr. Sinclair was honored to serve as President of the Illinois Retail Farm Equipment Dealers Association in 1967 and President of the National Farm and Power Equipment Dealers Association in 1981. After graduating from Martinsville High School in 1940, Dale received a scholarship to the University of Illinois. Like thousands of others in the "greatest generation" his college education was put on hold when he enlisted for military duty in 1942. Dale became a first lieutenant in the First Infantry Division (the famous Big Red One) serving in the European Theatre of Operations. He earned two Purple Hearts, two Silver Stars, and a Bronze Star (Combat Infantryman Badge). After active duty he served in the reserves for several years. In January 1946 Sinclair was separated from the army and resumed his studies at the University of Illinois. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree and graduated with honors. He was a member of Farm House Fraternity, Alpha Zeta and Gamma Sigma Delta honorary fraternities. Then in June 1946 Dale married Orva Pratt, who survives, of Plainfield, Illinois. Orva and Dale joined his father, W.T. Sinclair, in the operation of Sinclair Implement Company. Dale and Orva have three daughters. Orva Schramm and husband David of Laguna Hills, California. Ronda Bright and husband Randy and Vona Sinclair of Fishers, Indiana. Orva and her husband, David, have a daughter Orva Marie Bohm (Matthew) and a son Jared. Ronda has a son Wade Lintz (fiancée Julie Baker) and a daughter Molly Lintz all of Austin, Texas. For many years Dale served on the Martinsville Board of Education. In 1961 he was president of the board and served as secretary from 1962-1967. He was an active member of the Martinsville United Methodist Church, a sixty plus year member of the Clark Lodge #603 A F and A M and the American Legion Post 515. Dale was a like member of the Lodge Council Chapter, Consistory Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Danville, Illinois and the Casey Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a life member of the University of Illinois Association and the Society of the First Infantry Division Association. Sinclair was a Noble of Zorah Temple A A O N M S of Terre Haute and a Kentucky Colonel. He was a longtime member of the Martinsville Lions Club and served as its president. During the formative years of Lakeland College Dale served on the advisory board. Dale is also survived by a niece and three nephews. He was preceded in death by his father W. T., his mother Nell and two sisters, Freda Fasig, and Faye Bennett. Gifts in Dale's memory may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 2001 South Lindbergh, St. Louis, Missouri 63131-3597. Envelopes are available at the Greenwell Funeral Home. A memorial service for Dale H. Sinclair will be conducted at the Greenwell Funeral Home in Martinsville, Illinois at 3:00 p.m. Central time on Saturday September 6, 2008 with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. Condolences may be sent to www.greenwellfh.com. SERVICES Visitation Saturday, September 06, 2008 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Greenwell Funeral Home, Martinsville, IL , Service Saturday, September 06, 2008 3:00 PM Greenwell Funeral Home, Martinsville, IL ,
What’s your fondest memory of Dale?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dale?
Share a story where Dale's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dale you’ll never forget.
How did Dale make you smile?