Dale Ray Heil

Dale Ray Heil was born 8-3-1935 in Carrollton, MO and passed away peacefully 8-16-2025

Survived by:

Wife Vanita K. (Stuenkel), Daughter Tanya, Son-n-law Carl White and Sister, Donna Heil

Baptized & confirmed into the LCMS, graduated Central High School of KC, MO

Met his wife Vanita when she and her girlfriends came to the city. He pretty much knew that day he wanted to “marry that girl”, and marry they did, Sep. 2, 1956, at Zion Lutheran church, Corder, MO.

They celebrated their 1st born, a son (Brad) in 1960 and a daughter (Tanya) in 1964

Dale was committed to serve the Lord at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church his entire life. We were so blessed to have a Father lead us in a Christ centered home. Being the provider he was, found a new home on the east side of KC in 1970 and that “last house on the left” became their forever home.

Many memories were made on that dead end street with family, friends, friends of friends, neighbors and just about anyone who needed a helping hand. Dale was always willing to help and would purchase a tool for the job, even if it only got used once. At least he had it for the next person that needed it.

1972 he broke ground for Beautiful Savoir Home and served on the board of directors for 43 years. Oddly enough, that same place became his final physical home. He mostly worked in the medical home care service (Brad too) and later he was Safeway’s night store manager on Sni-a-bar Road. I think his nickname was “smiley”

Things he spoke of often were: hot rods (owned a few himself). Photography: He would offer his time to make family portrait Christmas cards. Firearms (he is a lifetime member of the NRA) and he had bunches of fishing gear he’d acquired from working at Gateway Sporting Goods, downtown KC. He collected anything German, John Deere Tractors, weapons, stuffed animals, (he’d bring me a new critter home from wherever he had been) books, and cats. The Heil home always had kitty cats. Someone once said that if reincarnation was real, coming back as a Heil cat would be living like kings and queens. He bought a Yamaha organ because he knew of people that could play it when they came to visit along with 2 acoustic guitars, one being a 12 string. They did get played at the parties. Even parties that were thrown by Brad & me. Everyone loved the parties at the Heil House!

After us kiddos grew up and moved out, they packed up the van and hit the open road, visiting all but 4 or 5 of the upper 48 United States. Each state they crossed into, they stamped it with a photo or postcard of the state capital and if on the coast, a light house.

Jan. 2013 Brad ascended to the Lord at 51 years old and life changed direction. Tanya moved in for 4 years, filling the gap of Brad and then Tanya & Carl married in 2016. Dad called his son-n-law, bud, just like he did Brad. I was happy for him and Carl to have that loving relationship.

Dale loved his beautiful wife Vanita, whom he called Kathy. Their dedication to each other was evident everywhere they went. He always found the perfect Hallmark card to express his thoughts and spent hours doing so. He signed them, Love Dale. It seemed so simple though he really put in so much thought into every move he made. He wanted to serve and not be served. He loved that he could make a difference. He did.