BRUCE MELVIN DALES, 86 years of age of Cripple Creek Road, Grundy, VA, passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at the Buchanan General Hospital following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Dave Sr. and Eliza Ratliff Dales. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and was a member of the Little Prater Church of Christ. Mr. Dales served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a devoted Christian, husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and was a retired Coal Miner and Member of the United Mine Workers of America.

Mr. Dales was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Dawson Dales, 2004.

He is survived by 1-Daughter: Paula and husband Larry Stiltner, Pounding Mill, VA, 2-Sons: Michael and wife Edie Dales, Grundy, VA, David and wife Lisa Dales, Knoxville, TN, 5-Sisters: Mavis Lester, Dungannon, VA, Lou Owens, Altavista, VA, Corrine Sampson, Richmond, VA, Lantha Looney, Salem, VA, Pauline Gauthier, Salem, SC

Also, survived by 5-Grandchildren: Jansen Dales, Julianna Dales, Sheena Stiltner, Jason Dales and Justin Dales; 2-Great-Grandchildren: Karlie Osborne and Haylie Dales.

He was preceded in death by 1-Sister: Fay Dales and 2-Brothers: Dave Dales Jr. and James Dales.

Funeral Services for BRUCE MELVIN DALES will be conducted Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evg. Bob Smith officiating with burial to follow at Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, VA.

Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Friday evening at 6:00 P.M. with services at 7:00 P.M.

Active Pallbearers will be Justin Dales, Jason Dales, Jansen Dales, Greg Rife, Doug Yates and Nephews.

Special Honorary Pallbearers will be granddaughters: Julianna Dales and Sheena Stiltner.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Paul Yates, Lynn Sykes and Gerald Vanover.

Full Military Rites will be conducted at the Cemetery by Members of Child’s Gentry Post No. 7360 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com

Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Virginia is in charge of all arrangements.