I worked with Dale for many years. I was his counterpart in Linn county. Dale was very committed to his job and to his coworkers and clientele. He w as very thorough and competent. It was always a pleasure to work with him on different projects. One always knew he would go the extra mile. His Christian qualities always stood out. We know God has welcomed him home. Best wishes to all his family.

I met Dale after I started at Garrett in 1955, and Helena and my future wife Yvonne soon joined us. So it was a surprise to find them at St. Mark's in Iowa City when I became pastor there in 1975. Jim joined us at our Michigan cabin for one summer visit with our son Paul. I had visited with Dale after preaching at St. Mark's on May 30, 2010, and then my twin brother Bob died shortly afterwards, on June 9, and Helen Shires died on Dec. 25.

Our most affectionate and respectful greetings to the entire family,

Elizabeth and Bill Eklund

Dale was always a fine example of a Christian man. He was a great student and friend. Janet and I pray his family will always be thankful for the time with him and the legacy he left as he served the Lord.

It was a loving and inspiring memorial service for Dale this morning. He & I (a Home Economist), served in Extension many of the same years. I'm sending a gift for African Univ. I was touched to learn of Dale's dream about going back. Dale's life story is an inspiration. May God continue to bless Dale's loving family. Rhoda Barnhart

To Dale's family:

Dale was a compassionate and insightful county director. He could look at the impact of a new idea or proposed change from all perspectives. We often sought out Dale's opinion before implementing a new program or idea. Dale was respected and a role model for many new county extension directors. He was revered as one of the best Extension Directors in the state.

Word has reached me here in Florida of Dale's death and I am so sorry that I will not be with you tomorrow to share in his memorial service. Dale was such a kind and thoughtful man who cared deeply about the Extension Service and it's service to the people of Iowa. He stood up for what he believed in and sometimes took on the administration of the Extension Service.

I remember so many times when he would be in a room full of people and he would be able to go around in introduce each person by name and be able to tell something about each one of them. He was so kind to me when I strted the Extension Service - helping to orient me and got me started in the right direction.

We are on vacation here in FLorida for the month of March but my thoughts will be with you tomorrow as you remember his life. He was a faithful husband, father and citizen.

Jean Hood, former Johnson County Home Economist

To Dale's Family,

I send my sympathies to you for your loss. While I didn't work closely with Dale, our paths crossed occasionally and he was always gracious and friendly. I especially remember a day when some of our Home Economics staff held a meeting at his office in Iowa City. He brought us a plate of delicious cookies, baked by him at the office to have with our coffee! I was most impressed. He was truly a gentleman and led his life very well.

To Dale's Family,

On behalf of everyone at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County please accept our condolences.

I am grateful to Dale for helping to create and sustain the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in the Johnson County Extension Office. That program has been my career and meant a lot to me in many ways.

It has been fun to think back of times spent with Dale in the office. He slowly but surely brought us into the computer age!

I talked to him a couple of times in the last year. He always spoke with great pride about his kids, grandkids and great grandkids. He clearly loved you all.

I am happy I had the chance to know him.

Best wishes to you all.

Dear Barb (and Shires family:)

Dear Jim and Family,

Please accept our condolences on the loss of your father. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

My thoughts and prayers are with Dale's family as they grieve his death and celebrate his life. I appreciated his theological wit and wisdom. We had some great discussions about discipleship. I'm glad I had the opportunity to get to know him and receive his perspectives from a life dedicated to making this world a better place. Blessings.

Rev. Denny Coon

What a great guy! I'll miss his gentle humor. I don't think i ever had a conversation with him when he wasn't smiling.

Among the many special people who cross our lives, there was Dale Shires, a devoted father, and missionary of peace and justice to the world. He taught me and others many life lessons while caring for God's good earth. He will be remembered fondly. Prayers and blessings to the family, his church and community.

Jim Taylor

Sorry Jim, Devin and Family.....Praying for all of you!

I knew Dale as 4-Her and then later as a member of the Extension Council in Johnson County. His gentle character and quiet strength were inspiring to me. He was certainly a very committed and devoted person, blessed with great humility and grace. He lead by example. He was a strong role model as a gentleman. He left his mark on this earth without great fanfare or self recognition. His leadership and presence will be missed in the greater Iowa City area and the world. Thank you for your many years of service to others.

I remember Dale as a very caring and kind person. I shall always cherish

his memory as my Vocation Agriculture instructor at Rolfe. My most memorable recollection of Dale is that he took 6 FFA boys on a senior trip to the Lake of the Ozarks. I doubt if many teachers today would have been that brave to take a group of 17-18 year olds boys on a trip like that. Also, my recollection is that we stopped in Elliot to meet his parents. My sympathy is extended to all of his family.

I got to know and deeply respect Dale when I moved to Cedar Rapids in 1980 to start working as the area crop specialist in 9 counties, including Iowa County. Dale was one of my mentors and a good friend. He was a gentle man, very quite spoken and a deeply religious Christian. In the 8 years I worked with him, I never once heard Dale lose his temper or raise his voice as he carefully explained his position on a particular topic. Dale had a great sense of humor. Clients and co-workers deeply respected Dale. He was an outstanding Extension professional, one of the best County Extension Directors in Iowa. I will miss Dale's yearly updates at Christmas and we will all miss his friendship. He cared for others, and it showed in everything he did.

To Dales Family:

Thoughts of Dale bring up many pleasant memories of contacts we had with him over the years when he was Extension Director.

Having been on the Fair Board, Extension Council, and Youth Committee, and also having served as 4-H Swine Superintendent during Dales tenure.

We worked through lots of problems - he was always delibert and thoughtful - just a great all around Christian person. You can certainly be proud of him. Our prayers are with you.

Joyce and Dick Oberman