Dailey C. Halsey

Dailey C. Halsey, 81, loyal and beloved husband and father, resident of Meadville, died peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010, in his home after a lengthy illness. Dailey is a son of the late E. Paul and Mary Halsey of Little Cooley. He was born in Fairwood, Grayson County, Va., May 24, 1929. He traveled to Pennsylvania with his family in 1940. He is survived by his beloved wife Marjorie, of 56 years, whom he married June 5, 1954; three children, Darlene McConnell of Aurora, Colo., Dailey A. Halsey and his wife, Malinda, of Cochranton, and Delora Rankin and her husband, Gary, of Little Cooley, and a foster son, David Conaway and his wife, Susan, of Fairfield, Ohio; three sisters, Pauline Post and her husband, Don, Essie Burns of Conneautville, and Lois Canfield of Saegertown; two brothers, Rodney Halsey of Meadville, and Richard Halsey and his wife, Theresa, of Coshocton, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Amanda Eagles and her husband, Patrick, of Harrisburg, Adina Williamson of Aurora, Kristin Southworth and her husband, Josh, of Huntsville, Ala., Renea Ramsey and her husband, Jeff, of Orlando, Fla., Brian Halsey and his fiancée, Sarah Kessler, of Sandy Lake, Ange Murphy and her husband, Steve, of Conneautville, Greg Rankin and his wife, Janel, of Little Cooley and Julie Rankin of Davidson, N.C.; and 10 great-grandchildren, and Victoria, who is due to arrive within days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, C. Rex Halsey, in 2004. Dailey was a cherished friend and neighbor, loyal, stalwart and loving husband and father. He loved to collect miniature tractors and Depression glass, and had an avid green thumb. He enjoyed woodworking and working in his flower beds at his residence. He adored playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and sharing candies and snack cakes with them. They always knew to check in his pockets for a special treat. He was devoted to his God, his family and his church. He was a leader of the youth group at Blake Memorial Church. He was a former member of Breedtown Baptist Church, Titusville. He is a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006, American Ex-Prisoners of War, and Barbed Wire Association of Northwestern PA Ex-Prisoners of War associations. Dailey joined the U.S. Army on Sept. 26, 1949, at age 20 and proudly served his country in the 2nd Infantry Division through Feb. 13, 1954. He was taken as prisoner of war in Korea on Dec. 1, 1950, and was released Aug. 24, 1953. Friends may call at Willis L. Arnold Funeral Home, 33353 N. Main St., Townville, branch of Roofner-Collins Funeral Home Inc., today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral will be on Friday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with Pastor Michael Frazier from Lyona Bible Church officiating. Burial will take place at Kingsley Cemetery, Townville, with full military honors from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to American Ex-Prisoners of War, 3201 E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40, Arlington, Texas 76010-5396; or West Mead 1 Volunteer Fire Company, 10482 Liberty St., Meadville, Pa. 16335. Send condolences to the family at www.roofner-collinsfh.com.