Edward Dale Campbell

Dale Campbell Killed in Car Accident Sun.

Edward Dale Campbell, 39, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Campbell, prominent northeast Niobrara County ranchers, was killed instantly at 10:58 Sunday night on Highway 16 when the auto he was driving turned over near Newcastle. He was associated with his father in ranching.

Neither Mrs. Campbell nor their 6-year-old daughter, who were riding with him, was seriously injured, but were taken to the Newcastle Hospital where they are receiving treatment for shock, cuts and bruises.

The accident took place just 400 feet west of the Wyoming-South Dakota line. Investigating officers said the car skidded on the ice and Campbell lost control.

The funeral will be held at the Congregational Church in Edgemont at 2:00 Friday afternoon, according to Lee Wood, a friends who is with the family and with whom The Herald talked Tuesday.

For Wyoming the highway fatality count climbed to 154. It was the first highway death of the week and brought the November toll to five. The year's toll is still five behind 1952 and 16 short of the all-time high of 170 in 1951.

The Lusk Herald
December 3, 1953
Dale Campbell's Obituary Given

Dale Campbell met his untimely death in an automobile accident east of Newcastle Sunday evening while enroute home from Custer. The accident was caused by an icy spot on a curve. His wife and daughter were with him at the time of the accident but their injuries were not serious and they were dismissed after a couple of days in the Newcastle Hospital.

Dale was born Apr. 16, 1914 at the Campbell ranch near Spencer. He was the only child born to Fred and Maude Campbell. Dale attended the country schools and graduated from the eighth grade at the Bob Cat School. That fall he entered high school at Edgemont, and graduated with the class of 1932. Dale was very active in athletics and played a prominent part on the teams. He continued his interest in sports and has been an ardent follower and booster.

After completion of his high school he went to Chilicothe, Mo. where he enrolled in a commercial course at the Chillicothe Business School. Upon completion of his course he went to work for the Argo Oil Co. in Lance Creek for three years.

In 1943 Dale enlisted in the U.S. Navy and saw action in the Asiatic and Pacific area. He was also active in the liberation of the Philippines. His rating was water-tender 2nd class. Dale received his honorable discharge Dec. 7 1945. He served on the Destroyer U.S.S. Flint. After he returned from service he took employment in Salem, Ore., where he worked as a steam fitter. Sept. 15, 1946 he was united in marriage to Theira Miller of Denver. They were married in Vancouver, Wash. and were parents of a daughter. In 1948 they returned to his father's ranch where he assisted with the ranching operations. Dale was issued his pilot's license in July, 1951 and had his own plane that was used for pleasure and business.

While attending school Dale came to the Congrgational Church and after the Cheyenne River Church was re-opened he and his family attended its services. He will be greatly missed in his home and community where he took a keen interest. He was a familiar sight on the side lines at the ball games. He leaves to mourn his death, his wife Theira and daughter Valaine and a son Richard by a former marriage, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Campbell, and a grandmother in Los Angleles and a host of other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers were Gail Weaver, Bill Spencer, Danny Morris, Tom Beebe, Francis and Leonard Sedgwick. Singers were Mrs. Wayne Fowler and Mrs. Leonard Ellis, organist Mrs. Ben Salmon, songs, "In the Garden" and "Beautiful Isle." Services were held Friday at 2:00 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Edgemont, and burial was in Edgemont Cemetery.

G. W. Sietsema, pastor of the Edgemont Congregational Church, officiated at the service Friday. A large group from Lusk and Niobrara County attended the funeral.

Note: Sunday would have been the 29th - but the Edgemont "Find a Grave" lists the death date as the 27th.

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