Dodie M. Bales

Dodie M. (Null) Merrill Bales passed away at Gardenside Care Center on September 24, 2020 at the age of 90 years, 2 months and 18 days.  She was born in Lincoln, NE., graduated from Lincoln High School 1948 and married John C. (Jack) Merrill on April 2, 1949.  They lived on a farm near Pleasant Dale, NE where Jack was a dairy farmer. Together they raised daughters Carla Jo and Diane.  In due course, Jack left farming and the family moved into town.  During these years, Dodie worked in the accounting/procurement or payroll departments for the State of Nebraska, Lincoln Aerospace, Job Corps and lastly at Cushman’s of Lincoln.  After Jack passed away, Dodie met widower Lewis D. (Sonny) Bales who was a police officer for the town of Fairbury, NE. They were married on October 2, 1976, and she moved to Fairbury.  Sonny and Dodie enjoyed many years together with their extended family, camping, fishing, and boating. They also enjoyed occasionally gambling in Las Vegas.  All of the grandchildren fondly remember playing pool on the pool table, playing the pinball machine, and playing “Boogie Shoes” and “Bits and Pieces” on the jute box.  In her later years, Dodie enjoyed visiting with her friends at the Senior Diner, playing cards with her many card clubs, playing bingo, and attending the Fairbury Concert Series events.  After she became more confined to her apartment, she enjoyed the weekly card games with the friends who were able to play at her residence.

Dodie is survived by her daughter Carla Jo (Merrill) Vance of Pleasant Dale, NE., daughter and son-in-law Diane L. (Merrill) and Norman Lalumandier of Council Bluffs, IA. , daughter Caryn (Dougherty) Bales of Fairbury, NE., son and daughter Ron and Linda (Bundy) Bales of Fairbury, NE., 9 grandchildren and their spouses, 18 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Dodie is preceded in death by her parents, Henry E. and Hazel C. (Glover) Null, husband of 22     years Jack Merrill, husband of 23 years Sonny Bales, sister and brother-in-law Joan and Dallas Nelson, brother and sister-in-law Charles (Chick) and Jeanne (Bartizal) Null, son-in-law Tom Vance and son Lewie Bales.

Services will be Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 10:30 at the First Baptist Church in Fairbury. Visitation will be Monday evening from 5 - 7 at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln. Memorials have been established to the Family's Choice.