Elmer Dale Waterman

Elmer Dale Waterman, 75, of Topeka, was called home Tuesday, January 18, 2011 after a short battle with cancer. He was born in Washington, KS on July 5, 1935. He was the son of Elmer and Vera Waterman.

He graduated from Barnes High School in 1953. He moved to Topeka where he met and married his wife, Betty Teske. Together the couple raised five children. Dale started work at Goodyear as a tire builder in 1958 and retired as a manager 40 years later.

Dale loved to be outdoors and enjoyed working with his hands. He was the man to call if you wanted something made or fixed. He was a true jack-of-all-trades. He appreciated the little things in life – a good cup of coffee, a joke shared with a friend, a warm fire on a cold night, a down-to-the-wire basketball game and being surrounded by his family. Dale was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he was quick to volunteer for a variety of projects. He was highly respected by friends, family and co-workers and was thought as a fair and honest man. He will be deeply missed.

Dale was preceded in death in 2007 by his wife Betty Waterman. He is survived by his son, Robert Waterman of Topeka; son, Randy Waterman and wife Lori of Topeka; daughter, Brenda Snedden and husband John of Fort Worth, TX; daughter, Cynthia Waterman of Topeka; son, Christopher Waterman and wife Brenda of Port Angeles, WA; sister, Pat Lundry of Topeka; sister, Carol Boodhansingh of Whitehall, PA; brother, Dan Waterman of Topeka; brother, Scott Waterman of Salina; seven grandchildren: Travis, Cody, Eric, Rebekah, Kyle, Ashley and Sean; and one great-grandchild, Ryder. He is also preceded in death by sister, Connie Murphy and brother, Steve Waterman.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 22, 2011, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 731 SW Buchanan, Topeka, KS 66606. He will lie in state after 2 p.m., Friday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, where family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. Memorial Contributions can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church.