Dale E. Fairchild

Dale Eugene Fairchild, 94, of Shawnee, Kansas, formerly of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, was born September 16, 1929, in Lafayette, Indiana, the son of Prescott Benjamin and Ruby Evelyn (Buckner) Fairchild. He departed this life on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Brookdale Rosehill in Shawnee, Kansas.

At the age of six, he and his missionary parents departed from the United States for Africa, where he spent the next 20 years in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. He had many animal adventures during this time, including snakes, monitor lizards, monkeys, and a pet mongoose.

Dale graduated from Helderberg College in 1947 and attended Emmanuel Missionary College. After graduation, he worked as a government customs agent. Soon after, he met Chris Christoph, a missionary teacher working for his father. Romance quickly blossomed, and they were married in May 1955.

Upon returning to the States in 1956, Dale was employed by Bearings, Inc. in Erie, Pennsylvania. He worked there for the next 35 years until his retirement in 1991. During this time, he and his wife raised two children, kept an extensive garden, did lots of camping out in the woods, and were strong members of the local Erie Seventh-Day Adventist church.

He enjoyed all things nature, writing poetry, playing board games, and watching the birds and squirrels at his outdoor feeders. Dale’s green thumb was legendary, and after moving to Kingsville, Missouri in 1998, served for several years as a Master Gardener at Powell Gardens.

Dale was preceded in death by his wife, Chris; his parents; sister, Jean; and daughter, Betty J. “Biz” Reynolds.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, David and Darlene Fairchild of Shawnee; five grandchildren, Beckie Fairchild of Branson, Missouri; Rindy (and Chris) Sherman of Olathe, Kansas; Christopher (and Shana) Fairchild of Ooltewah, Tennessee; Rob Reynolds of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; Kevin Reynolds of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; great-grandson Hudson of Ooltewah, Tennessee, and many other friends and relatives.

Cremation has been accorded.   

A celebration of Dale and Chris’ life will be held at the Kingsville, Missouri, SDA church later this spring.  Private inurnment will be in the Strasburg Cemetery.  

The date and service times will be published on the funeral home website when that information becomes available.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Harvesters, ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief), or St. Luke’s Hospice Care, and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.StanleyEdenburn.com

Arrangements: Stanley-Edenburn Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St., Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080 (816) 540-5550