Former Bluffton pastor, Rev. Dan U. Dalke, 93, died in his home in Inman, Kansas, on Sept. 29, 2014. He was born June 27, 1921, in Inman, Kansas, to John and Sara Dalke. He married Edna Franz on Jan. 22, 1943, and together they had seven children.

After graduating from Grace Bible Institute, Omaha, Neb., in 1951, he was ordained to the ministry and for 63 years conducted numerous pastoral assignments, including seven years as pastor of the Swiss Church in Whitewater, Kan., and 18 years as senior pastor of Ebenezer Mennonite Church in Bluffton. The last 12 years he served as chaplain for Pleasant View Retirement Home where he resided.

Seventy-one years of marriage and many travels took Dan and his wife, Edna, to 48 of the 50 states and 46 countries of the world. He also conducted several tours of the Holy Land. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna, of 71 years; a daughter, Marilyn; a son Warren; and a great-grandson, Bradley.

He is survived by daughters Cheryl Epp of Colorado, Arline Clark (Larry) of Ohio, Vonda McEachern of Colorado; daughter-in-law, Brenda Dalke of Washington; sons Dale Dalke (Diane) of Washington and Verle Dalke (Linda) of Oregon; son-in-law, Laverne Busenitz of Kansas; 22 grandchildren and 48 great grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct., 18, at the Grace Bible Church in McPherson, Kan.

Memorial gifts may be donated to the Pleasant View Home in care of Buhler Mortuary, 120 North Main, Buhler, Kan. 67522