Published on August 17, 2026 2:35 pm
Last Updated on August 17, 2026 2:35 pm
Dale Richard Fitzpatrick, 90, of Effingham, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026 at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.
Dale was born on March 8, 1936 in Waverly, IL, the son of Joseph and Doris (Pitchford) Fitzpatrick. He graduated from Waverly High School in 1954 and from Bradley University in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Dale worked for Howard, Needles, Tammen and Bergendoff Engineering Firm in Cleveland, OH. It was during this time that he met his wife, Margaret “Peg” Tobbe, and married on June 22, 1963, in Cleveland Heights, OH. In 1964 Dale began working for Rochester and Goodell in Salem and Effingham, IL, before being appointed city engineer of Effingham in 1976. He retired as city engineer in 2001. Dale was a member of the Engineering Society, the Elks, the Knights of Columbus, Toastmasters International and TOPS. He was an active member of St. Anthony Catholic Church for over fifty years and served in multiple capacities as a parishioner. After retirement Dale was also active in the Effingham County FISH Human Services
Organization, serving people in need. Dale enjoyed people, sharing stories and telling jokes. He also had a lifelong love for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Dale is survived by his wife Peg, sons Kevin (Brenda) of New Orleans, LA, Michael (Amy) of Bath, ME, Tim (Allison) of Escondido, CA, Patrick (Eleanor) of Chicago, IL, Brian (Maria Luisa) of Suwanee, GA, daughter Sr. Sheila of Beech Grove, IN, brothers Gerald (Becky) of Franklin, IL, James (Susan) of Wickenburg, AZ., and Robert “Willie” (Deborah) of Ava, OK; sisters Marilyn (Norman) of Pawnee, IL, Katherine Norman (Fred) of Springfield, IL, Margaret Long of Avon, IN, and Michelle Thompson (Michael) of Springfield, IL; sister-in-law Jean Ann (Joseph, Jr.) of Waverly, IL; grandchildren Dane (Erin) Kieff, Connor (Chelsey), Seamus (Katelyn), Mairin (Ryan) Gilbert, Joseph, Sean, Aedan and Liam; great-grandchildren Autumn and Riley Fitzpatrick and Lily Kieff; and many nephews, nieces and great nephews and nieces.
Dale is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Joseph, Jr., Herschel (Carol) and Michael, and sisters Wilma, Donna (Roy) Coppenbarger, and Dorothy; brother-in-law Richard Long, and niece Beth Long.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham. Burial will be in St. Sebastian Cemetery in Waverly, IL at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2026.\
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church or the Sisters of St. Benedict of Beech Grove, IN. Online condolences can be offered at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com