Peers: Dale “Dimo” Merril, October 13, 1958 – March 28, 2019
Dale Merril Peers died March 28, 2019, in the Big Country Hospital, Oyen, at the age of 60 years. He was laid to rest June 2, 2019.
Dale was born in the Empress Hospital October 13, 1958, to Kenneth and Velma Peers of Acadia Valley. His arrival completed the family of six: three boys and three girls. With five older siblings, it took a long time to become the Boss! But that was accomplished in many ways but especially when it came to Sausage Making!
Dale took his first seven years of schooling in Acadia Valley at the Warren Peers School. After his father Ken Peers, took a transfer to the Beiseker Post Office in 1971, literally moving house and home, Dale completed his schooling graduating in 1976. He made many friends in Beiseker. Dimo attended SAIT taking Automotive Service Technology for two years, so he stayed close to home. After completing SAIT he made his way back to Acadia Valley to join his brothers in the business they started in 1974 “Acadia Valley Farm Supplies.” The business meant everything to him and when he closed the doors in 2011 Dale was proud to say he ran this business and served his community for over 35 years. In his next chapter, Dimo went to work for friends at CJS Agro and then later with Vortrax Construction. He enjoyed his years working with these two local businesses. Dale always liked to be busy and around people. Dimo had a huge heart. It was witnessed by his family, new and old friends, even by those who had vehicle problems on the highway. He would help anyone that he could. With the loss of his brother Raymond, after a tragic accident, Dale didn’t hesitate to step up and be a fill-in Dad to Jessy and Kenny.
Dale was very active in the community, involved with the Rec Club and the Acadia Valley Volunteer Fire Department. He volunteered much to these organizations, starting right from the time he arrived back in “The Valley!” Dale valued the many years that he was involved with the Mud Bogging Association. He enjoyed the mechanics of the vehicles he built, his team, the racing and all the new friends that he met along the way! Oh and the partying…Dale loved the years when they hosted the Annual Event in “The Valley” and enjoyed all the work that came along with it. These years meant a lot to Dimo and he valued the sense of community and the great friendships that came out of those years! Dale was also a member of the local Volunteer Fire Department for all those years, proud of the work they did and was involved right up to when his health started to hold him back. When he could no longer attend the incidents, he worked the phones and organized water trucks still wanting to help and be part of the team. Another enjoyment of Dimo’s, that meant a lot to him right up to the last couple weeks before his death, was the group of friends that participated in the “monthly” Poker Nights. Dale always loved playing cards but the friendships from these evenings were just as important. He enjoyed all the organizing and spending time with young and old. Not so much the losing……but accepted it.
Dale is survived by his siblings Bev Swanston, Gary (Diane) Peers, Sandra (Ken) Downes and Ina (Len) Hains; his nieces and nephews, Shannon (Gene) Hauck, Brett Swanston, Jessica (Chris) Trask, Kenny Peers, Lindsey (Adam) Hamilton, Jamie (Martin) Hogan, Jocelyn (Stewart) Lee, Carla (Shaun) Rutz, Sheldon (Sheryce) Hains, Kyle (Stephanie) Hains as well as his greats Hailey and Garrett Hauck, August and Cambell Swanston, Liam and Ronan Hamilton, Samantha and Huston Hogan, Kendrick and Owen Lee, Carter and Eva Rutz, Eleanor Hains, Marsela and Georgia Hains as well as a Great-Great Oaklin Swanston.
Dale was predeceased by his parents Kenneth (2017) and Velma (2007) Peers; brother Raymond Peers (2005) and brother-in-law Don Swanston (2010).
Memorial tributes may be directed to the Acadia Valley & District Rec Club, the Diabetes Foundation of Alberta, or the Oyen and District Health Care Foundation.