Irvin "Dale" Reed, 85, of Soldier, Kansas, passed away peacefully at his home on August 7, 2025, with his girls by his side.

Dale was born on October 5, 1939, in Soldier to Irvin Gene and June (Anderson) Reed. A lifelong resident of the Soldier community, he graduated from Soldier High School in 1958. From 1963 to 1965, Dale proudly served his country in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he specialized in electrical avionics.

Dale had a long and dedicated career with the Jackson County Road and Bridge Department, where he worked for 43 years in various roles—including dump truck driver, road grader operator, and ultimately shop foreman—until his retirement in 2001.

On September 8, 1973, Dale married the love of his life, Catherine "Cathleen" Kennedy, at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton. They shared 45 years of marriage before Cathleen's passing in 2019.

Dale had a deep love for his community and served in many capacities over the years. He was a former mayor of Soldier, served as the Soldier Fire Chief from 1968 to 1973, was a longtime member of the Soldier Volunteer Fire Board, served two terms on the USD 335 Jackson Heights School Board, and was an elder at Soldier Christian Church. He was also a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton.

Dale was a mechanic by trade and spent many happy hours tinkering in his garage. Dale also enjoyed riding his Gator around the farm, attending his grandchildren's activities, camping with friends and family, and traveling with Cathleen, most especially many treasured trips to Colorado visiting their daughter, Kitty.

He is survived by two daughters, Cody (Aaron) Utz of Holton, KS, and Kitty (Ray) Reed-MacDonald of Montrose, CO; four grandchildren, Grace, Isaac, and Preston Utz of Holton, and Dayle MacDonald of Montrose; his brother Jerry (Nina) Reed of Soldier, KS; sister-in-law Betty Jo (Bart) Howells of Billings, MT; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Cathleen, his sister Leila Nutter, and brothers-in-law Joe L. Kennedy and Lloyd Nutter.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 12th at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton. Dale will lie in state at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday. A visitation will held on Monday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a Rosary prayed at 6:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Holton Community Hospital Foundation or the Soldier Volunteer Fire Department, in care of the funeral home, PO Box 1034, Holton, KS 66436. On-line condolences may be made at chapeloaksfuneralhome.com