Mr. John Dale Markey, 79, of rural Dallas City, IL passed away on Monday, March 31, 2014 on his farm.

John was born at the family home in southeast Dallas City on September 3rd, 1934. His parents were Paul and Grace Byers Markey. John attended Pleasant Hill School through 8th grade. He graduated from Dallas City High School in 1952. In February of 1953, he enlisted with his brother Frank in the United States Air Force in the 69th Fighter Bomber 310th Squadron. John served in New York, Colorado, and Texas, along with peace-time Korea for one year. He was discharged in February 1957. He was introduced to the love of his life, Dolores Bishop, by his brothers fiance Shirley and Dolores sister Marge, four days after he got home at a dance at the Eagles Club in Fort Madison, IA. They became engaged on June 7th, 1957 and were married on September 14th, 1957 at Saint Marys Church in West Point, IA.

John worked for Burdette Wetzel at Farmers Service for five years. In 1962, he started working at JI Case Company in Burlington, IA. He retired from Case in 1992 as General Foreman of the Experimental Department after 30 years of service.

John and Dolores are the parents of seven children: John Matt (Pam) Markey of Dallas City, Maureen Brewer (Eric Higdon) of Mediapolis, IA, Lydia Markey of Oklahoma City, OK, Michelle (Brian) Butler of Olney, MD, Mia Markey (Eric Stuckey) of Austin, TX, Molly Markey (Michael Shamashkin) of Woburn, MA, and Margie (Zack) Snyder of Indianapolis, IN and 16 grandchildren: John Wesley, Amanda, and Nick Markey; Glenn, Kevin, and John Brewer; Paul, Sam, Kate, and Mark Butler; Henry Stuckey, Fiona Markey, Leia Markey, and Dale Stuckey; and Luke and Zoe Shamashkin. In addition, he has 4 great- grandchildren: Madison, Bryson, Kaiden, and Khloe Brewer.

He was preceded in death by three brothers: Frank, Tony, and Joseph, and his parents. He is survived by his wife of 56 years and children and grandchildren; two brothers, Lester (Frances) Markey of Dallas City and Leon (Charlotte) Markey of Belleview, FL and three sisters Catherine (Ed) Symmonds of Dallas City, Dorothy Johnson of Dallas City, and Mary (Jim) Rees of Ferris, IL.

The Rosary will be recited at 6:00 PM, Friday, April 4, 2014 at Banks and Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City followed by visitation with the family until 9:00 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, April 5, 2014 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dallas City, with Father Tony Trosley and Father Tom Szydlik officiating. Burial with military rites will follow in the Gittings Mound Cemetery, rural Dallas City. A memorial fund has been established for the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Dallas City Food Pantry.