Raymond "Dale" Caldwell

Raymond “Dale” Caldwell 83 of Metropolis Illinois went to be with the Lord at 3:20AM November 15th, 2024. 

 Dale was born May 30th, 1941, in God only knows where because apparently no one reported it to the government. However, it has been said that when he was born, they had to destroy the mold from which he came because the world couldn’t handle more than 1 Dale Caldwell. 

Dale is survived by his wife Shirley Gard of 64 years, his daughters Desiree Chumbler of Metropolis and Brandi (Shane) Rust of Paducah, and his son Heath (Kathy) Caldwell of Metropolis; Niece Jennine (Joe) Searcy of Metropolis and Nephew Hadley (Heidi) Smith of Prattville, Alabama whom he considered both his own children. 

Grandkids Meagan (Ross) Lampert of Benton KY, Caitlin Rust of Paducah, Madison (Donavan) McCuiston of Metropolis, Callie Rust of Paducah, Garrett (Lorna) Chumbler of Grand Rivers, KY, Stephen (Olivia) Owens (Chumbler) of Metropolis, Tessa (Shawn) Williams of Metropolis, Josh (Katie) Caldwell of Metropolis, Aaron (Ashley) Caldwell of Metropolis, Westan Caldwell of Carbondale IL, Mason Searcy of Metropolis, Logan Smith of Prattville AL, Colby Smith of Prattville AL, Chance (Jade) Smith of Wetumpka AL, and Tyra(Sawyer) Pyle of Wetumpka AL., as well as 15 great grandchildren. 

Dale also has many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends in his home state of Utah and surrounding areas whom he loved dearly. 

At 18 He joined the United States Army where he was a paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne. Dale was a Jack of all trades, and a master of a Bulldozer and Theottle Light for shooting grade. He spent most of his years moving earth with some sort of heavy machinery. He was also a business owner, entrepreneur, clever problem solver, poet, and once was fired from a short career driving an ice cream truck for giving ice cream to all children without money. 

All are invited to join a celebration of Dale’s life on Dec. 7, 2024, at the Gathering Place, 2730 Massac Creek Road, Metropolis IL, 62960, from 2-6pm. The family is collecting stories of Dale’s life. If you have any you would like to share please add them in comment to the website or FB shares; email them to desireechumbler@protonmail.com, or contact the family at 270-331-4483 via call or text.