Obituary of Dale Robert Hurt

Dale Robert Hurt, 78, of Niles, passed away Sunday, June 6, 2021 in Goshen, Indiana at Courtyard Healthcare Center. One of four children Dale was born to the late Robert and Marion A. (Davis) Hurt in Galesburg, Illinois on April 12, 1943. Upon graduating from high school, Dale was enlisted in the United States Army and earned the ranking of Staff Sergeant and Expert Rifleman during the Vietnam War. After being discharge, Dale continued his service to his country and enlisted in the Reserves where his active and reserve time spanned over thirty-three years. He wed Delores Smith at a ceremony in Niles on Dec 16, 1988 and celebrated thirty-two years of marriage. He worked for over twenty-three years at Sears as an electrical technician. He also worked at the Niles Wal-Mart for more than fifteen years. After retirement Dale enjoyed a few hobbies; raising homing pigeons, as well as his pet rooster “Buzzer”. Dale’s passion however was service to veterans. Although he was fully disabled from the service, he was a proud American and veteran who took any opportunity afforded to him to serve any veteran in any capacity. Dale was a past member of the St. Joseph Valley Lodge #4 F. & A.M. and the South Bend Scottish Rite. Dale is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Delores Smith of North Liberty, Indiana; his sons, John (Betty) Hurt of Niles, Gary Hurt of Scotts, David (Melissa) Hurt of South Bend; Delores’ children, Sherry (Tom) Maciejewski of North Liberty, Alan (Michele) Smith of South Bend and Terry (Dee) Smith of Edwardsburg; nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and his siblings, Steven (Doris) Hurt of Niles, Jerry (Naleta) Hurt of Cornersville, Tennessee, and Bobbie Hurt of Niles. Services to honor Dale will be held Sunday, June 13, 2021, 2:00 p.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior at Brown Funeral Home, Niles, Michigan. Dale will be laid to rest at Fort Custer National Cemetery where full military honors will be rendered. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Dale have been asked to consider Disabled American Veterans Chapter Hall 2180 Union, Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022. Condolence, photos, and memories can be left for Dale’s family at www. BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.