Obituary of Dale F. Gilroy

Dale F. Spears Gilroy, 81, of Merritt Island, passed away peacefully, in her home on Saturday, January 16, 2016. On July 1, 1934, in Kingston, Tennessee, Dale was born to Dayton & Daisy Spears and grew up with six siblings. She began her journey at a young age, making her way home to Merritt Island, Florida in the early 1960’s. Dale was the first of three generations to graduate from MIHS. Dale coached softball, including the MIHS Softball Team, played Santa’s Helper for the MI Christmas Parades, and was involved with M.I. Volunteer Fire Dept. and CVFD, where she dispatched and her handle was “Mother Hen”. She was also the BCFR Secretary to Commissioner John Hurdle, District 2. Dale retired after 30 years with the Brevard County Fire Dept. In her retirement, she was the children’s crossing guard for Lewis Carroll Elementary School. Dale is a wonderful woman who loved camping, bowling, and people, most of all; and she did it all with a “Touch of Class”! Preceded by her first son Donnie Chasteen, Dale Gilroy is survived by her brother Paul Campbell; sister Sherry McCamy; daughter Sandra Hotary and her husband Mark; daughter Tami Brannock and her husband Bo; son Bruce Chasteen; daughter in law Mary Ellen Chasteen; grandchildren Steve, Tifini, Joshua, Jeremy, Travis, Trevor, and Tanner; great grandchildren Kaitlyn, Cory, and Tiara; dear family friend Jesse Thomas; and her companion of 15 years Robert Estes.A Celebration of Life will be at Faith Lutheran Church of Merritt Island. The service will be held at 3:00pm on Sunday, January 31, 2016. Flowers and contributions to American Cancer Society are welcome.