Leonard Roy Dally

Leonard Roy Dally, 89, of Benton Harbor passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2005, at Lakeland Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center, MI. Friends may call on the family on Thursday, June 16, 2005, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, June 17, 2005, at 10:00 A.M. at the funeral home with Rev. Devon Allen officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association in care of the funeral home. Friends are invited to send the family a condolence message or sign the guest book online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Leonard was born in Milo, Illinois on April 16, 1916, to Roy and Eva (Taylor) Dally. He married his childhood sweetheart, Dorothy Benson, on August 8, 1937, in Crown Pointe, Indiana. He proudly served his country in World War II with Company ?E? 21st Infantry, receiving the Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, and the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan). He was honorably discharged on November 2, 1946. Leonard worked as an owner-operator, truck driver until his retirement in 1980 and was a member of the Teamsters (Central States) for over thirty years. He was an avid basketball fan, beginning with his playing days for the Illinois Hopkins High School varsity team and culminating with hearing tales of his grandsons? adventures on the hardwood. Leonard is survived by his wife of almost seventy years, Dorothy; daughter Barbara Dally of Bridgman; son Curt (Chris) Dally of Portage, MI; six grandsons; one granddaughter; three great-grandsons; and one great-granddaughter. Preceding him in death were his parents; his sister Margaret and her husband Paul Bernardi; daughter Patricia Murphy; and grandson Patrick Shawn Murphy.