Mr. Robert Dale Morrissey

Robert Dale Morrissey 91 of Bluffton passed away at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2013, at Markle Health & Rehab Center. Mr. Morrissey was born in Wells County, Indiana on July 11, 1922 to Thomas Michael & Hattie Marie (Pruitt) Morrissey. He graduated from Rockcreek High School with the class of 1940. He served his country in the United States Army from October of 1942 and was honorably discharged in January of 1949 as a Staff Sergeant in the 128th Infantry Regiment. On February 14, 1952 in Bluffton at St. Joseph Catholic Church, he married Evelyn Haflich. They have shared the last 61 years of marriage together. Dale was an Owner / Partner in the Haflich & Morrissey Shoe Store. He worked in the Bluffton Store starting in 1939 and moved to Decatur in 1950 to open and operate the Haflich & Morrissey Shoe Store in Decatur. After retirement in 1984, his favorite activities were mowing and enjoying the outdoors. In 2003 Dale & Evelyn moved back to Bluffton. His favorite expression was “ Oh Happy Day”. Dale was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Decatur and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bluffton. He was a 4th Degree - Knights of Columbus in Decatur along with a member of the 3rd Order of St. Francis. He was an active member of the Decatur Optimist Club for 43 years, where he was awarded perfect attendance for that time, and a member of the Bluffton Optimist Club for 7 years. Dale is survived by his wife Evelyn of Bluffton along with children; Nancy (Larry) Leitz, Janet (Doug) Lehman and Michael (Jill) Morrissey all of Bluffton and Patrick Morrissey of Fort Wayne. He was a proud grandpa to 4 grandchildren; Nathaniel “Nate” (Erica) Lehman, Gregory Lehman of Bluffton, Nicole (Doug) Miller of Fort Wayne, Matthew (Jordan) Morrissey of Zionsville and 3 great-grandchildren; Carter Allen Lehman and Cadence Danielle Lehman and Cale David Morrissey. He is preceded in death by his brother Harold Morrissey. Calling Hours will be held from 2 to 7 on Friday at the Thoma/Rich, Chaney & Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. A Prayer Service & Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. following calling. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday (Dec 14, 2013) at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bluffton with Father Pius N. Ilechukwu and Father Steve Colchin officiating, with calling for one hour prior to Mass at the Church. Burial will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery with military honors performed by the American Legion Post #111 of Bluffton and the United States Army Honor Guard. Memorials may be made in Dale’s memory to the Bluffton Optimist Club or Mass of Intentions at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Friends can send online condolences to the Morrissey family at www.thomarich.com.

Mr. Robert Dale Morrissey

July 11, 1922 - December 10, 2013