Dale Lawrence Schutt, Sr.

Dale Schutt Sr., 63, of Saint Charles, MO, passed away on March 02, 2023, after a battle with lung cancer.

Dale was born on October 30th, 1959, to Marlys Tinman (née Lewis) and Herman Schutt in Harvey, Illinois. Dale grew up in the southern suburbs of the greater Chicagoland area, where he attended school in Country Club Hills and Thornton. He moved southwest to New Lenox for 15 years, where he could enjoy adventures with his kids and had open space for their dirt bikes, go-karts, and other "big-boy" toys with which he loved to surprise his sons. Until the end, he was still just a big kid at heart himself.

Dale was so much more than the struggles from his traumatic brain injury at work that ended his career as a roofer. His recovery was best facilitated on the course, he would tell you (really, he would tell anyone), and he took ample recovery time to play golf with his friends and cousins. In New Lenox, he met his fiancée Megan, forming a partnership of love, friendship, support, and understanding that anyone would be lucky to find. They had an honest respect that only happens when two people compliment and celebrate each other's unique personality quirks as Dale and Megan did; a love of absolute fun, mutual understanding, and cherishing one another. He greeted you loudly with a booming voice (he couldn't whisper, or so he claimed) and a giant smile that radiated his friendliness.

Dale never knew a stranger, just friends he hadn't made yet. He talked to all his regular store cashiers at length and remembered their stories, drama, and joys because he cared. Dale would always make you feel welcome because he truly welcomed you. He would share what he could when he could, and quite often, even when he couldn't. A complete goofball, he would do anything for a laugh. He always enjoyed making you squirm by pushing your boundaries with a recently learned joke. You always knew one was coming because he smiled ear to ear before even launching it on you, his smile continuing through the entire delivery. Often enough, the joke was so-so, but his conviction in its humor and always laughing while telling his own joke with a goofy grin made you smile too. His cheer was infectious, and being around him lifted your spirits and stayed with you even when you weren't together. It warmed your heart and lowered your guard with him. Anyone that genuinely knew him knew he had such a kind heart. He could make you laugh even when you were mad at him.

Dale loved to collect anything. ANYTHING! He was particularly fond of glass sculptures and intricate handmade puzzle boxes. Still, you could always depend on drink straw and napkin collections in his vehicle for you too. He loved to play air guitar to rock and performed a complete steering wheel drum solo. His concert stage lights, now dim, will never go dark. He leaves behind a signature brightness and joyful warmth in the love of fireworks that lives on through his sons. 

Dale is survived by his fiancée, Megan Barnett and their fur-babies, Daisy-Mae and Izzy; his children, Dale Schutt Jr, David (Mallory) Schutt; his parents, Marlys Tinman and Herman Schutt; his brothers, Don Schutt and Todd Patchin; his sister, Donna (Jeff) Lempera; former wife and mother of his children, Nancy Galderio (née Fassnacht); niece Amanda (Dan) Koch; niece, Ashley Schutt; nephew, Todd Patchin; fur-grandsons, Fred and Marcus; a great-niece and many cousins, distant family members, and friends. 

There will be a celebration of life at a later date and time near Chicago, IL, with his fiancée and children.