Dale Eugene “Gene” Ishmael, 84, Bethany, MO departed this life for eternity on Friday June 9, 2023.

Gene was the second son, born to Layton Garrett and Naomi Ann (Tapscott) Ishmael on November 23, 1938, in Seymour, Iowa, and lived most of his adult life in Overland Park, KS, before moving to Bethany upon his retirement in 1994.

Gene was a Southern Baptist, serving as an ordained deacon, Sunday school teacher, Royal Ambassador leader/counselor and in other positions as requested.

He married Linda Hudson on November 9, 1956, at Melbourne Baptist Church and they celebrated 66 years of marriage. They were the parents to three children: Stephen Dale Ishmael, Vanessa Lee Kietzman, and Janet Louise Laytham. They had three grandsons and seven granddaughters. They also enjoyed spoiling 14 great grandchildren.

Gene was employed for 37 years at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Kansas City, MO. After his retirement he drove delivery for NAPA and O’Reilly Auto Parts and was a salesclerk at a men’s wear store, all in Bethany. Gene had hobbies that included woodworking, fishing, hunting, as well as golf, gardening, winter-time quilting, family genealogy and was an avid reader of books. He was a charter member of “TRUSS & OBEY”, lay builders of Owasso, OK, going on volunteer building trips each year since 1987 until health prevented him from going any longer. Gene was also a member of Bethany Masonic Lodge #997, AF & AM.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Terry; sisters-in-law, Carol Ann and Sonja; daughter-in-law, Barbara; an infant grandson and twin infant granddaughters.

Gene is survived by his wife, Linda of the home; brother, James E. “Jim” Ishmael, Kansas City, KS; son, Stephen (Lori) Ishmael, Ottawa, KS; daughter, Vanessa (Bob) Kietzman, Leavenworth, KS, and daughter, Janet (Kevin) Laytham, Osceola, MO; ten grandchildren, Nathaniel, Heather, Katey, Courtney, Cadence, Elizabeth, Isaac, Alice Ann, Emery, and Emma and 14 great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 13 at Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Burial will follow in Pilot Grove #1 Cemetery, Gilman City, MO. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Pilot Grove #1 Cemetery in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com