Dale R. Wohlford, 92, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2025 at Larksfield Place Health Care Center, Wichita. Dale was born on the family farm east of Sawyer, Kansas (Pratt county) on January 18, 1933 to Ansel and Vonnie (Blackwell) Wohlford. In 1940 the family moved to Kingman county and were dairy farmers.
At a young age, Dale worked on the family farm bailing hay. During high school, Dale worked part-time as a meat cutter. After Dale’s graduation from Kingman High School In 1951, he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve. During time at the Great Lakes Naval Station bootcamp, he was recognized with the “Company Honor Man” award. While on Christmas leave from the Navy, he married the love of his life, Phyllis Howerton, on December 27, 1953 at the Kingman Christian Church. In the 1970’s, Dale joined the Army Reserve unit of the 89th ARCOM in Wichita, Kansas. Fittingly, Dale passed away on Veterans Day.
After Dale returned to Kansas from military service in Norfolk, Virginia, he worked in the meat industry for 15 years. In 1967 Dale was hired by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a Meat & Poultry Inspector and served 42 years. One of Dale’s favorite assignments was working at the annual Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) mobile canner operation. Volunteers join together to prepare cans of turkey, beef, chicken and pork, which are shipped to people in need around the world. Dale was proud of the many friends he gained working as a food safety inspector for the USDA.
Dale’s hobbies included camping, canoeing, fishing, and hunting.
Dale is survived by: his wife, Phyllis of almost 72 years; daughter, Teri (David); granddaughter, Sarah; and two great-granddaughters, Thalia and Kalea.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Ansel and Vonnie Wohlford; daughter, Deborah Hartstein: grandson, Daniel, brother Claude (Barbara); and brother-in-law, Dale Howerton (Phyllis).
A graveside service will be held at the Walnut Hill Cemetery in Kingman, KS, on Monday, November 17th at 1 p.m. with military honors conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard.
If you would like to honor Dale, please consider a donation to the MCC mobile canner operation (https://mcc.org). In care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.