Dale Edward Matthews was one of seven children born to Eugene and Nora (Buckingham) Matthews. He was born February 28, 1920 and he passed away Sunday, December 14, 2014, at the Elm Heights Care Center in Shenandoah. He was 94 years old.

Dale grew up in Tabor, Iowa. He obtained a degree in accounting at the University of Iowa in 1941. After working as an accountant in Chicago for nine months, he volunteered to serve in the Army during World War II at age 22. He was a forward observer with the 86th Chemical Mortar Battalion that saw action in France, Belgium, Germany and Czechoslovakia. His unit landed on the Normandy beaches shortly after D Day and they fought on the front lines in Europe until the end of the war in 1945. Dale earned five battle stars for Normandy, Ardennes, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He earned a bronze star and a purple heart after being shot by a sniper in March 1945. He was discharged as a First Lieutenant and later was promoted to Captain while in the reserves.

After earning his CPA from Drake University in 1954, Dale moved to Shenandoah to start an accounting practice. Today this firm is known as Miller, Shearer, Lashier and Company and they recently celebrated their 60th anniversary.

On January 25, 1974 Dale and Clara Jane Gottsch were married. Dale and Clara Jane enjoyed traveling all over the world. They especially enjoyed the ancient world and climbing over archaeological sites. They also loved to explore museums and to visit military battle fields.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his daughter Rebecca Matthews, three sisters Marjorie (an infant), Pearl Warin and Mable Georgesen, and three brothers David, Maurice and Earl. He is survived by his daughter Nancy Borchert and husband Jim of Fort Collins, Colorado and by 17 nieces and nephews and many great nephews and nieces.

Burial with military rites will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah.

Memorials may be directed to the Disabled American Veterans or Wounded Warrior Project.