William Dale Carls

Dale Carls of Wakarusa passed away Saturday, June 13, 2026.

He was born November 5, 1931, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of William Carls Jr. and Vera (Moffett) Carls. He graduated from Berryton High School in 1949 and served in the United States Air Force from April 1951 to April 1955. He met Ruby Hoeder in California and they were married in 1954 until she passed away in 1983. He met the second love of his life, Shirley Thatcher, and they were married in 1989 until she passed away in 2020. He dedicated himself to the family farm in Wakarusa, even until last year, taking pride in maintaining the cattle pastures.

After trusting the Lord as his Savior, Dale became a different man. This devotion manifested in his participation as a Gideon, sharing ministry through jail outreach and supporting spiritual growth. He was a member of the Wakarusa Presbyterian Church and attended Auburn Christian Church.

Dale served on the Shawnee County Farm Bureau Board, Pauline Co-Op Board, and Williamsport Township Board. His leadership as a Wakarusa Valley 4-H Club Leader helped guide young people in agriculture and life skills. He also served as sexton for Shawnee Center Cemetery.

He enjoyed reading farming and ranching periodicals, the Bible, daily devotions, other faith-based literature, and Pickle’s comic strips. In his youth, he explored taxidermy, hunting, fishing, and trapping, and later, following the passing of his second wife, he enjoyed cooking. A highlight each year was reminiscing with friends at his high school reunion. He was often seen wearing the Marine Corps stocking cap gifted by his grandson Nick.

He was preceded in death by his sons Gene (Mindy) Carls and Larry (Elaine Shumaker) Carls; his brother Dean (Bonnie) Carls and his parents.

Dale is survived by his daughters Vera (Dennis) Brinkman, Jana (Rick) Fuhrmann, Judy (David) Boltman, and Sheri Metzger as well as nine grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to Gideons International, PO Box 140800 Nashville, TN 37214.

A Graveside Service will take place at 11:30am Friday June 19, 2026 at Shawnee Center Cemetery in Wakarusa, Kansas. A Memorial Service will be held later at 11:00am Tuesday July 7, 2026 at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, located at 1321 SW 10th Ave in Topeka, Kansas.

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