He was born on February 22, 1946, in Tuscola, IL the son of Ernest and Lois (Clabaugh) Thayer. He married Lorna Lewis on June 7, 1970 in Villa Grove, IL. Dale was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, then worked at the Cordova Power Station until retiring.
Dale was a Mason for 53 years and was a Life Member of Fulton City Lodge No. 189, serving as Worshipful Master in 1977, as well as Secretary and Treasurer of Fulton City Lodge for many years. He also served as District Deputy Grand Master for the 10th Northern District for a total of 7 years. He was also an honorary member of Prophetstown Lodge No. 293, and received “Mason of the Year” for Illinois in 2008.
Dale supported the Illinois Masonic Academic Bowl, joining as a committee member in 1996. He was the Academic Bowl Committee Chairman from 2004 until 2021, after which he continued to support the Illinois Masonic Academic Bowl.
Dale was a member of Merton Chapter No. 356, Order of the Eastern Star in Fulton, serving as Worthy Patron in 1976 and 18 other times since then. He was also a member of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite – Valley of Moline; York Rite Masons – Keystone Chapter No. 32 in Clinton, IA; Red Cross of Constantine – Holy Trinity Conclave in Rockford, IL; and Knight Masons – Tracy O’Galway Council No. 40 in Dixon, IL.
Dale also supported Job’s Daughters International as an Associate Bethel Guardian starting in 2018 for Bethel 57 in Fulton. He received the DeMolay Legion of Honor, being a member of the Tri-City Preceptory in Moline.
Dale was preceded in death by his beloved wife Lorna, who passed away in 2015. An active member of Order of the Eastern Star, Lorna was a teacher and assisted Dale with the Academic Bowl throughout the years.
Survivors include his son, Ryan (Lora) Thayer of Minneapolis, MN; his daughter, Cindy (Mike) Kuykendall of Buckner, MO; and his sister Judy (Tony) Blair of Villa Grove, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in memory of Dale to Fulton Presbyterian Church or Grand Lodge of Illinois Masonic Charities – Masonic Academic Bowl.
Visitation will be held on Friday March 20, 2026 from 10-11 AM at Fulton Presbyterian Church. Masonic services will follow at 11 AM, with the funeral at Noon with the Reverend David Spaulding officiating. Burial will conclude with military honors at Fulton Township Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to McDonald Funeral Home, Fulton.
