Dale Merrill Stanton, age 89, of St. Ansgar, Iowa, formerly of Austin, died Monday. July 8, 2002, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center, Osage, Iowa.

Dale was born Dec. 25, 1912, in Newton, Iowa, the son of Clead and Fannie (Houseman) Stanton. He was married to Anna Josephine Pell on Jan, 20, 1937. He was a life long farmer in the London and Myrtle area of Freeborn County. He enjoyed farming, playing cards and socializing with friends. Although he had no children of his own, he enjoyed being with young people and children.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Anna; and brothers: Naurice and Glen Stanton.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11,

at the Hayward Lutheran Church with the Rev. John R. Malm and the Rev. Norman Stanton officiating. Interment will be in the Bohemian National Cemetery, Myrtle, Visitation will be held at the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary, Austin, on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m., and at the church on Thursday for one hour before the service.

The honorary bearer will be Bud Granholm. Bearers will be James Benesh Sr., James Benesh Jr., Emil Prantner, Ed Prantner, Dick Madson and Lou Larson. He is survived by brothers and sisters-in-law: Wayne and Opal Stanton of New Hampton, Iowa, Donald and Olga Stanton of Austin, Gerald and Beverly Stanton of Minnetonka, Loren and Roberta Stanton of Austin, Norman

and Susan Stanton of Hartsdale, N.Y., and Irene Stanton of San, Diego, Calif.; sisters and brother-in-law: Holly Young of Eugene, Ore., and Lois and John Hunting of Grandview, Wash.; and nieces and nephews.