Dale F. Ruthe, age 99, of Baileyville, IL went to be with the Lord on April 13, 2026, upon his death at home. Dale was born on May 17, 1926, in a rural home in Stephenson County, IL, the son of Fred and Rena (Meiners) Ruthe. On August 15, 1948, he married Martha A. Meier. She passed away on July 2, 2015. Dale was a member of the Baileyville Reformed Church, in Baileyville, IL. He enjoyed reading the Bible and Christian magazines, listening to hymns, being outdoors mowing and gardening, drinking tea or coffee with family and friends, and checking out garage sales and auctions. Dale’s life’s work included working at Micro Switch, in Freeport, IL, for 35 years, and after retirement from Micro, he enjoyed being a janitor at Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Freeport, and doing lawn care at the Salem United Church of Christ, Lena, IL.

Surviving is his daughter Karen (Merle) Shoemaker of Ridott, IL, and one son, Curt (Jean) Ruthe of Rockford, IL., five grandchildren, Andrea (Brad) Siegworth, of Rockton, IL., Matthew (Amanda) Shoemaker of Ridott, IL, Jonah Ruthe of Rockford, IL, Issac Ruthe of Denver, CO, and Raina Ruthe of Rockford, IL., and four grandchildren, Kelsey and Alex Gordon, and Olivia and Westin Shoemaker. Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Janice Ruthe of Oregon, IL, and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Harry and Eileen Meier, of Naperville, IL., and a sister-in-law, Norma Meier, of Freeport, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers and sisters-in-laws, Calvin (Ardith) Ruthe, Marvin (Florence) Ruthe, Lloyd Ruthe, and sister and brother-in-law, Esther and LeRoy Hagemann, and sister, Lucille Ruthe.

Funeral services will be Monday, April 20, 2026, at 11 am at the Baileyville Reformed Church, with Pastor Jody Van Dyke officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 until time of the service. Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL. A memorial has been established for the Baileyville Reformed Church and the Rockford Rescue Mission in Rockford, IL.

We would like to give a special thank you to dad’s caregivers, FHN Supportive Care, and Hospice Care for their compassionate care.