Dale James Leary

DALE  LEARY

   Dale James Leary, 53, of Manhattan, Kansas, died Wednesday (December 8, 2021) at his home.

   Born December 18, 1967 in Peoria, Illinois, Dale was the son of William James and Bonnie Smith Leary of Monmouth, Illinois.  Dale attended Immaculate Conception School and Monmouth High School.

  In high school Dale was on the wrestling team, and received his 3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo at Chung Kim's Black Belt Academy in Bettendorf, Iowa. 

    After high school Dale worked in Texas doing construction for a bit.  

  Dale then joined the U.S. Army in 1990 as a light maintenance mechanic. After a few years of service Dale became an airborne soldier and became a Green Beret with the 1st Special Forces Group at Ft. Lewis, WA for a short while.  

  Dale ended his service time in 1994 and returned home to Monmouth. Upon his time back in Monmouth he worked for a Quick Change Oil business, and McCabe's Scrap Yard.  Both in Galesburg, IL.  During that time he married Michelle Hall. In 1995 Dale decided the civilian life was not for him and reenlisted in the U.S. Army as a light maintenance mechanic for the remainder of his U.S. Army career.  From January 1995 until his retirement in early 2011 Dale worked his way up to Master Sergeant.  During this time he served with the 124th Signal Battalion, 7th Special Forces Support Group (where he became a Jump Master and Pathfinder), 125th Signal Unit (where he deployed to  Afghanistan in 2004 - 2005), 25th Infantry Division, and lastly with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team 10th Mountain Division. 

  Survivors include a son, Ryan Leary of Monmouth, IL; a sister, Cindy Brown of Ohio; nieces and a nephew; cousins and friends.

   Dale was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and a son, Liam Leary.

   Cremation arrangements are in the care of Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego, Kansas.

   Graveside inurnment with Military Honors will be held Monday (January 24, 2022) at 10:00 a.m. in the Kansas Veterans Cemetery at Fort Riley.

   Memorials may be made to Valor Honey and can be left with Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.