Dale Lee Chrisman (2015-2016)

Dale Lee Chrisman, 63, of Columbia, died Friday afternoon, Dec. 2, 2016, as a result of a stroke. Visitation was on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016 at Memorial Funeral Home followed by funeral services.
Dale, son of Lucille and David, was born December 4, 1952 in Columbia. He graduated from Hickman High School and served three years in the U.S. Army. He returned from the service to work with his father and grandfather in the carpet cleaning and upholstery business and most recently was employed by HyVee as a maintenance and delivery driver.
He was married to Sherri Henke of Salisbury for 31 years and they have two sons, Douglas, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America who is a personal chef in Washington, D.C., and Greg, a University of Missouri graduate who is a flight attendant with United Airlines.
Dale’s greatest treasure and joy was his family, especially his two sons, and he instilled in them his values of hard work, thoroughness in any job undertaken and a love of all people. This man, a beloved father, son, brother, uncle, friend, musician and “Morel Marauder,” will be deeply missed forever.
At 16, he joined his brother Bill’s band, The Coachmen, playing bass guitar and continued playing with groups such as Woodrose. Music was in his blood, and blues and the Allman Brothers could be heard whenever he was near a radio or CD player. He was in the process of putting together a new band with old friends Bill Jenkins and Steve Pass. When he wasn’t at work or playing his bass, he was in the woods almost every day in the spring, looking for morels, always giving away his finds to friends and neighbors — always a generous and caring man.
Anyone who knew him will attest to the twinkle in his eye, his big smile and his desire to make everyone feel special. If he wasn’t repairing or building shelves at HyVee, he was putting a light fixture up at his father’s or raking leaves at sister Lori’s.
He is survived by his wife, Sherri; his sons, Douglas and Greg; his father, David of Columbia; his brother, Bill of Traverse City, Mich.; and his sister, Lori of Columbia.
Dale was preceded in death by his mother, Lucille; paternal grandparents, Kenneth and Gertrude Chrisman; and maternal grandparents, Bill and Edna Duren.

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