Francis Dale Rawlings

Francis “Dale” Rawlings, 79, of Marshalltown, Iowa passed away in the early hours of the morning on November 20, 2019 at Unity Point Health Marshalltown with his loving wife, Carmen, at his side.  Per Dale’s wishes cremation rites have been accorded and no formal services are planned at this time. For more information or to send a condolence please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call (641)844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Dale and his family.  Francis Dale Rawlings was born October 2, 1940 to parents Lloyd and Mary (Roberts) Rawlings in Sturgeon, Missouri. He was a high school graduate who continued on in his education and went to attend a trade school for technology. He answered the call of his country and was enlisted in the United States Airforce. Before being stationed Dale was on a trip to the Grand Canyon and met Carmen Anderson. After being pen pals and dating for a couple of years, Dale asked for Carmen's hand in marriage and the two were united on July 2, 1960 at the Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Soon after, Dale took up his station in Tacoma, Washington.  Throughout their lives they lived in many states and towns including Tacoma Washington, Phenix, Arizona, El Monte, California, Saint Paul, Minnesota, and Marshalltown, Iowa. Dale was a firefighter for the Marshalltown Fire Department for a number of years; after being hospitalized for smoke inhalation, he left the MFD and started working for REC. After years at REC, he became a mail carrier for the Marshalltown Post Office where he later retired after 30 years. He was a member of the Izaak Walton League of Marshalltown. In his free time, he was an avid hunter, fisherman, woodworker, he collected model cars, built ships and boat models, and was enthusiastic about genealogy after retirement and had traced his family tree all the way back to 400 B.C++.  Left to remember and cherish his memory is his loving wife Carmen; his children, Brian Rawlings, Steven (Colleen) Rawlings, and Barbara Rawlings; his grandchildren Adam , Shane, and Storm; two great- grandson; his sister, Judy Burrell; numerous nieces and nephews; and his cousin and genealogy partner Donald Roberts.  In death, Dale rejoins his parents Lloyd and Mary; his son, William Dale Rawlings; and his sister Janet.