E. Dale Heldt

E. Dale Heldt, 86, of Francisco, IN formerly of Fort Branch, passed away at Deaconess Gateway Hospital on May 3, 2021. He was born to the late Willis and Ruth (Hosler) Heldt on January 12, 1935 in Lynnville, IN.

Dale was a member of Gentle Shepherd Church of God in Francisco. He graduated from Fort Branch High School in 1953 and never missed a class reunion. He married the love of his life, Shirley McKinney, on December 11, 1955. He began working for Tretter Lumberyard in 1956 as a Contract Estimator then later for Wilson Lumberyard. He started working for F&M Lumber and retired in 1998 but never truly stopped working. He and his wife enjoyed horseback riding together especially on vacations and he started to really enjoy fishing later in life.

Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings, Willis Heldt, Jr., Emma Loehr, Carol Heldt, Marvin Heldt, Loren Heldt, and Larry Heldt; and son, Robert “Bobby” Heldt.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Shirley Heldt of Francisco, IN; 2 children, Timothy (Sheri) Heldt of Floyds Knobs, IN and Alan (Carrie) Heldt of Owensville, IN; daughter-in-law, Shawna Heldt of Francisco, IN, siblings, Lonny (Donna) Heldt of Fort Branch, IN, Betty (Harold) Rice of Terre Haute, IN, Ruthie (Kelly) Rehlander of Tucson, AZ and Janie (Larry) Williams of Fort Branch, IN; Sister-in-Laws, Sharon Heldt and Vonda Ross. 13 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 1 great grandchild on the way.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Stodghill Funeral Home in Fort Branch with Pastor Bob Douglas officiating. Visitation will be on Friday, May 7, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and again on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will be at Northview Cemetery in Elberfeld, IN. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gentle Shepherd Church of God in Francisco. Expressions of sympathy can be made at stodghillfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of E. Dale Heldt, please visit our floral store.