I wanted to put an article in the paper about my friend Dale Gaebler. The D.A.R. had two great articles about his commitment to the PB schools and the community, but I knew another side to the story.
Dale and I went to high school together, (one year apart) and became close friends a few years later. He started racing at the Malden race track in 1959. He drove a 1940 Ford sedan with the number 66 on it. This was because of the Harley Fritts 66 station he worked at as a mechanic, which he purchased later. After a couple of years of racing he started driving the number 9 car. This was a modified car with a large Pontiac 421 cubic inch engine in it. Carl Whitener owned the car, Dale was the driver and there were 7 of us that were on the pit crew. We raced every Friday night at Malden and later we would also go to the Charleston Mo track on Saturday night.
In 1958 Dale, David Johnson, Randy Weber, and Raymond Tanner, and a few others went to the DuQuoin Ill. fair on Labor Day weekend to watch the car races they have at that time every year. This started a yearly event for the group. I started going in 1960. After Dale and Wanda were married the women started going. Over the years the group grew to about 30 people, but we have had only 6 going for the last 6 years. This would have been Dale's 60th year and he had his motorhome packed to go. In honor of Dale's memory, David and I went over to DuQuoin on Sunday Sept. 3, 2017. This was David's 60th and my 58th year.
And then, there is the Gaebler farm. A few years ago, with the help of family and friends, a barn was constructed at the farm on county road VV. When finished it was 50 ft. x 100 ft. With the add on it is now 90 ft x 100 ft. For years the Gaebler's had been hosting parties in the fall. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday there would be some group having a party there. It could be church groups, school groups or any kind of group. If you wanted to have an event there, you had to reserve the night you wanted because there was a long list of people who wanted to use it. Dale did not charge anyone, but I know most gave a donation because there is always a cost to the events. Most groups brought their own food, but Dale did the rest. He was always the first there and the last to leave. He would hitch up two of his draft horses to the wagon (which only he could do) hook up the old Ford tractor to the wobble wagon before the group arrived. He would always have a fire going to roast marshmallows. Everyone always had a great time. His wife Wanda, was there for every event helping the groups in every way she could and loaning out items when needed.
Dale was looking forward to having the wedding reception for one of his grandson's wedding on Sept. 30, 2017 at the farm, and this is still going to happen.
These are just a few things I wanted to share with the people of Poplar Bluff, because he and his wife did so much for friends and family. So, I say farewell to a great friend and may you rest in peace.
Don Robertson