Dale C. Gassman, age 57, of Malvern, died Thursday night, July 31, 2008 at St. Joseph's Mercy Health Center in Hot Springs. He was born in Pontiac, Michigan on December 3, 1950 to the late Glenn, Sr. and Vivian Stearla Gassman. Reared and receiving his early education in Michigan, he moved with his family to Arkansas and attended Lakeside High School. Dale later attended Henderson State University. He was a master electrician, and was employed by Reynolds Metals Company and ALCOA from 1979 until his retirement in 2006. Dale was a former officer for the Malvern Police Department and served on the Hot Spring County Quorum Court. Among his hobbies were hunting and fishing, working with computers, and riding his Harley. Dale also was an accomplished musician, having taught himself how to play the guitar. A veteran of the United States Navy, he served in Germany during the Viet Nam War.

He is survived by his wife, Penny Bultena Gassman of Malvern, to whom he was married on July 12, 1985 in the First Presbyterian Church; by two daughters: Angela Johnson and Emily Gassman; a son: Dale Garner Gassman and his wife Kelly; two brothers: Kirk and his wife Karen Gassman, and Glenn, Jr. and his wife Saree; a sister: Cheryl Dawson and her husband Len; and by six grandchildren: Talon, Kaley, and Miranda Johnson, Sarah and Cameron Gassman, and Paige McDermott, all of Malvern.

Dale was also preceded in death by an infant half-brother, and by a half-sister, Virginia Luptznitz.

His funeral will be held on Sunday afternoon, August 3, 2008, at two o'clock, in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Reverends Kirk Gassman and Stephen Wingo officiating. Interment will follow in Shadowlawn Cemetery.

Pallbearers are: Talon Johnson, Nate Mitchell, Chris Walthall, Len Dawson, Jeremy Edwards, and Kyle Dawson.

Honorary pallbearers are: the nurses on 4West at St. Joseph's, the staff of Advanced Care at St. Joseph's; Dr. Timothy Webb, and Berna Smedley.

A visitation will be held on Saturday evening from six until eight o'clock at the mortuary.

The family requests memorials take the form of donations to the American Cancer Society for Leukemia Research.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.