Dale Reesman
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Dale Reesman

  • October 15, 1930 - September 6, 2011
  • Boonville, Missouri
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William Wood Funeral Home

517 Fourth Street
Boonville, MO 65233
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Tel. (660) 882-2495
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Memories & Candles

“Dear family and friends of Dale - I just learned from David Lander about Dale's passing. I was a collegaue of Dale's on the Misouri Supreme Court...Read More » ”
1 of 48 | Posted by: Karen Tokarz - St. Louis, MO

“Phyllis I just heard of Dale's passing. We were so blessed to have gotten to know both of you during our time at Rusk with Cody! Dale always had...Read More » ”
2 of 48 | Posted by: Pam Mills - Boonville, MO

“Phyllis and family, It saddens me deeply to hear of Dale's passing. I'm sorry I never told him that he was one of my life's hero... a man I had...Read More » ”
3 of 48 | Posted by: Bill Sien - Haymarket, VA

“Phyllis, we were saddened to learn, via Stan Grimm, of Dale's passing. He and you probably were the most admired couple among our MU law classmates....Read More » ”
4 of 48 | Posted by: David and Carma Eggers - FL

“Dale is a reminder of how all of us should be. Active in many areas, a voice for those who didn't have one, clear articulate thinker and speaker, a...Read More » ”
5 of 48 | Posted by: Sarah Gallagher - Boonville, MO

“Phyllis and Girls, I was so very sorry to hear of Dale's passing. I have so many fond memories of him, how well he treated my Mother, games he would...Read More » ”
6 of 48 | Posted by: Pam Garrison Fouts - St. Peters, MO

“Phyllis and family, I am very sorry to read of Mr. Reesman's passing. When I worked for the Division of Family Services, I had the pleasure of...Read More » ”
7 of 48 | Posted by: Rebecca Ledgerwood Roesslet - MO

“Dale will be missed by many. He was a wonderful friend and person. God will welcome him into His house. ”
8 of 48 | Posted by: Anita Crews - Boonville, MO

“The world will be a less gentlemanly place without Dale Reesman. I enjoyed working with him over the years. Gwen Froeschner Hart ”
9 of 48 | Posted by: Gwen Froeschner Hart - MO

“In the short time that I came to know Dale, I realized that I met someone who changed my life in a possibly imperceptible but real way. I shall...Read More » ”
10 of 48 | Posted by: Steven Westgate - Columbia, MO

“Phyllis, Ellen, and Sarah, We are thinking of you at this time, and know that - like so many others - we feel that Dale was one of the nicest men we...Read More » ”
11 of 48 | Posted by: Deon Wolfenbarger & Doug Hintzman - CO

“Phyllis, Ellen and Sarah, My family and I are so sorry for your loss. I know he was a good husband, good father and a wonderful neighbor to us. We...Read More » ”
12 of 48 | Posted by: Evelyn Barroso - Cypress, TX

“Dearest Phyllis, Ellen, and Sarah, Please know you are in our hearts at this time. I have so many wonderful memories of Dale that I will always...Read More » ”
13 of 48 | Posted by: David and Susan Reesman Briley - NC

“It is with deepest condolences that we send this message to the Reesman family -you are in our thoughts and prayers at this time for the loss of a...Read More » ”
14 of 48 | Posted by: Susan and Drexel Stith - MO

“I worked for Dale for over 11 years and every day I went to work it was a pleasure, he always made me feel very appreciated and special. He helped...Read More » ”
15 of 48 | Posted by: Shelley Copeland - Boonville, MO

“Phyllis, Ellen, and Sarah, Sorry for your loss. Dales was a very fine man and we know he will be deeply missed. Larry and Elaine Lymer ”
16 of 48 | Posted by: Larry and Elaine Lymer - MO

“Dale was a fine man and will be deeply missed. ”
17 of 48 | Posted by: Scot Lymer - Saint Peters, MO

“Dale Reesman is one of the most faith-filled and faith-full people I've ever known. His abiding presence, love, friendship, courage, sense of humor...Read More » ”
18 of 48 | Posted by: Steve Westbrook - St. Louis, MO

“I remember how tall and handsome Mr Reeseman was when I was a child and how friendly he was to everyone. My father was a pastor at Boonville...Read More » ”
19 of 48 | Posted by: Beth Ann Barger - Omaha, NE

“My tears are for you as a family , but joyful that we will all one day be together again in God's home. My memories of Dale are the handsome man...Read More » ”
20 of 48 | Posted by: Freya Barger - Freeport, IL

“The nicest man that I have ever known! ”
21 of 48 | Posted by: William Mack - CA - Friend

“Phyllis and family - my condolences on the loss of a great gentleman. Please know my thoughts are with you. ”
22 of 48 | Posted by: Pam Reynolds-Sorensen - KS

“Mrs. Reesman, Sarah, and Ellen (& families), I have been praying for Dale since the time I first learned of his illness. I have so many fond...Read More » ”
23 of 48 | Posted by: Susan (Lymer) & Chuck Long - MO

“So many memories and smiles. My heart hurts for your loss but my soul is excited knowing the lights in HEAVEN are so much brighter. Hang on tight...Read More » ”
24 of 48 | Posted by: Carol Shikles Stretz & Family - MO

“I was saddened to learn of Dale's death. I want to express my condolences to all of Dale's family. I met Dale 10 years ago when I came here, with...Read More » ”
25 of 48 | Posted by: John Briscoe - Boonville, MO

“Ellen and Sarah and famiy, I'm so sorry to hear of your father's passing. My prayers and thoughts are for you and your family. He was truly a loved...Read More » ”
26 of 48 | Posted by: Mark Jones - Columbia, MO

“Deepest and sincere sympathy to the family. Mr. Reesman was a caring and kind man and will be missed in Boonville. ”
27 of 48 | Posted by: Randy and Lila Huebert - MO

“I'm very saddened to learn of Dale's passing. He will be missed by so many. Phyllis, I will keep you and your family in my prayers. ”
28 of 48 | Posted by: Nancy Vieth - Springfield, MO

“Dale will be so missed by those on the FLAG Board, he was part of the beginning of that organization. Such a wonderful man and always had a smile...Read More » ”
29 of 48 | Posted by: Lou Anne Kling - Granite Falls, MN

“Dale was a lifelong acquaintance, a classmate, friend and consultant to my family members for over half a century, and, for even longer, one of...Read More » ”
30 of 48 | Posted by: John D. Hopkins - MO

“A true gentleman in every sense of the word. Having been a friend from my first time in Boonville some 35 years ago has been a real privilege for me...Read More » ”
31 of 48 | Posted by: Leron Hill - Boonville, MO

“Just wanted to say how sorry I am that Dale has left this world. It was a pleasure knowing and working for him for many years. His kindness and...Read More » ”
32 of 48 | Posted by: Gary Campbell - Boonville, MO

“Dale was always special to me growing up. He was always a friendly and funny person to be around. As I got older, I appreciated his wit even more. ...Read More » ”
33 of 48 | Posted by: John Sanders - Gardner, KS

“Mr. Reesman will be missed so much by all of us who have had the pleasure of taking care of him. His sense of humor kept us going, and he will be...Read More » ”
34 of 48 | Posted by: Dr. Rashmi Ramasubbaiah - MO

“Phyllis, Ellen and Sarah, we were so saddened to hear of your loss. Boonville is a lesser place without Dale, but we know heaven gained a special...Read More » ”
35 of 48 | Posted by: Jim, Marilyn, Callie and Abby Gann - MO

“To the Reesman Family - sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Reesman was a wonderful person and will truly miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to...Read More » ”
36 of 48 | Posted by: Barbara Hester - Boonville, MO

“Dear Phyllis, Sarah, and Ellen - I am so sorry for your loss. Dale was beloved by all who knew him, and I feel lucky to be in that category. He...Read More » ”
37 of 48 | Posted by: Susan Stokes - St. Paul, MN

“Dale was a wonderful man, we will miss him greatly. Our heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family. ”
38 of 48 | Posted by: Jeff & Kelly Francis - Boonville, MO

“Dear Phyllis, Ellen and Sarah, Bob and I are so sad to learn of Dale's passing. Katie and Spencer remember him as "such a nice, nice man". I have...Read More » ”
39 of 48 | Posted by: Bob and Ann Bill - Oak Park, IL

“Dale was one of my favorite people in the world. From the book of James Chapter 2 - "I will show you my faith by my actions." Thank you, Dale, for...Read More » ”
40 of 48 | Posted by: Kelly Sanders Smith - MO

“I am so sorry for your loss. I have kept in touch with Dale for over 35 years and will miss exchanging cards at Christmas time. He was a very...Read More » ”
41 of 48 | Posted by: Peg Pannell Smith - Rockwall, TX

“So sorry for your loss. ”
42 of 48 | Posted by: Susan Geiger - Boonville, MO

“Aunt Phyllis, Ellen and Sarah: We were so sad and sorry to hear of Uncle Dale's passing. His smile and the positive energy that he always brought...Read More » ”
43 of 48 | Posted by: Debbie Fisher-Osborne - MO

“Dale Reesman was one of the kindest, most decent men I have ever known. He will be missed. My sincere condolences to his lovely wife and family. ”
44 of 48 | Posted by: Karen Ratay - Boonville, MO

“Phyllis and Daughters, so very sad to learn of Dale's passing. We felt he was our friend as well as our attorney since the day we moved here 38...Read More » ”
45 of 48 | Posted by: Pat and Dick Billings - Boonville, MO

“I was saddened to hear of Dale's passing. He was a very positive influence on the youth of the church when I was growing up and I always looked up...Read More » ”
46 of 48 | Posted by: Kyle Mayginnes - Washington, IL

“Mr. Reesman was a wonderful person. He helped me through some very tough times with the death of my brother, sister-in-law, dad and mom. I wouldn't...Read More » ”
47 of 48 | Posted by: Mary Ann Conrow - Boonville, MO

“Our staff extends to the family of Dale Reesman our deepest sympathy during this difficult time of loss. ”
48 of 48 | Posted by: The Thacher-Wood Funeral Home Staff - MO


* TO VIEW THE MEMORIAL SERVICE CLICK HERE: www.odutv.com
(then select "Dale Reesman's Funeral")

George Dale Reesman, 80, of Boonville, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, September 6, 2011, at his home. A memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 11, 2011 at the First Christian Church of Boonville with Pastor Dan Crum officiating and a reception following in the church fellowship hall. The family is having a private interment.

Mr. Reesman was born October 15, 1930 in LaPlata, Missouri, the son of George David and Alma Cleo Dale Reesman, both of whom preceded him in death. Dale moved to Boonville with his parents at age six, and graduated from Boonville High School in 1948. He attended Northeast Missouri State College before transferring to and graduating from the University of Missouri (A.B. 1953). He then entered the U.S. Army, serving for three years. He married Phyllis Dawn McDandel on July 2, 1955 in Aschaffenberg, Germany. Following his military service, Dale entered law school at MU. He graduated in 1959 having served on the Board of Editors for the Missouri Law Review, and joined the law firm of Williams, Williams and Reesman (now Williams, Reesman and Tate) in Boonville, where he practiced for 52 years. He also served as city attorney for Boonville and New Franklin (1960-1970) and Special Assistant to the Attorney General of Missouri, under Tom Eagleton (1960-1964). He was on the Missourians for Equal Justice steering committee and the Missouri Supreme Court's Task Force on Gender and Justice. Beginning in 1981, much of Dale's law practice was devoted to representing farmers in litigation with U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies, including farm-related civil and criminal matters in North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio, Arkansas, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana and Rhode Island, as well as Missouri. He was a founding member of Farmers' Legal Action Group, Inc. (FLAG) of St. Paul, Minnesota, a public interest law firm for financially distressed farmers. Dale was honored with the Pro Bono Publico Award from the American Bar Association (1986) as well as the Missouri Bar Association Pro Bono Award (1986), the Missouri Bar Foundation Spurgeon Smithson Award (1993) and the Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc., Special Meritorious Award for Service to the Poor of Missouri and the Nation (1984). He was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

Reesman's compassion for others and his sense of humor were evident in every aspect of his life. Very involved in his community, Dale was a member of the Board of Education (1961-1973, president 1965-1973), a director for both the Boonslick Savings & Loan Association and the United Missouri Bank of Boonville, a Friends of Historic Boonville director and a member of the Missouri River Festival of the Arts executive committee. He served for many years on the Walnut Grove Cemetery board. A member of the Concerned Citizens for the Black Community of Boonville, Reesman was honored as the group's Citizen of the Year in 1987. He served multiple terms on the board of Unlimited Opportunities and as Cooper County representative to the Heart of Missouri United Way board. More recently, he represented Boonville as lead counsel in its successful efforts to save the historic Katy Bridge. Twice he served terms as trustee for the State Historical Society of Missouri (1985-1988, 2009-present). He was a member of the Cooper County and Missouri Bar Associations and a lifelong member of the First Christian Church of Boonville, where he served as deacon and elder as well as a Sunday school teacher for 45 years. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Dale loved to travel with his wife Phyllis, especially to watch their granddaughters compete in sporting events or other activities, and to see his Missouri Tigers in action.

Dale is survived by his wife, Phyllis, of the home; two daughters, Ellen Reesman Klausen of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Sarah Reesman and husband Bill Tackett of Columbia, Missouri; and three grandchildren, Grace Ellen Klausen, Elizabeth "Betsy" Dawn Klausen and Kelley Reesman Tackett.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to Unlimited Opportunities, First Christian Church, Katy Bridge Fund or Concerned Citizens For The Black Community of Boonville (CCBC) in care of Thacher-Wood Funeral Home, 517 Fourth Street, Boonville, Missouri 65233, phone 660 882-2495. To leave condolences please click on "Sign Guestbook" above.