Arthur Dale Godert, age 78
of Carmi, IL and formerly of Newton, IL and Effingham, IL passed away at 11:00 AM - Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM – Sunday, December 29, 2013 at the Blake-Buchanan Funeral Home in Newton, IL with Stevan McClure officiating. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery in
Newton, IL. Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the service.
The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.blakefh.com.

Arthur Dale was born on June 8, 1935 in Rose Hill, Illinois the son of Charles and Florine (Auteberry) Godert.
He married Betty Lou Johns on May 31, 1958 in Newton, IL.
Dale served his country in the United States Army.
Dale worked in maintenance at CIPS in Newton IL and retired in 1997.
He had a true passion for basketball, playing in grade school and shot hoops until his health would no longer allow. While living in Champaign he played on an adult basketball league at the YMCA and enjoyed attending Illini basketball and football games or watching sports on the television.
He and Betty enjoyed traveling but most of all he loved his family.
They attended the First Christian Church in Carmi, IL.

Dale is survived by-
Wife of 55 years – Betty Godert of Carmi, IL
Son – Gary Dale (Veronika) Godert of Galatia, IL
5 Grandchildren – Tammy White, Jessica Skaggs, Dale Godert and Jayme Godert, Angel Brummer
13 Great Grandchildren with one expected soon
Brother – Wallace Utley of Clay City, IL
2 Aunts – Jo (Dean) Hawes of Greenup, IL and Grace Stevens of Cash, Arkansas
Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, brother Max Utley, sisters Sandra Utley and
Maxine Howe who passed on December 18, 2013 and sister-in-law Deanna "DD" Utley.