Dale Lynn Bateman, 95, of Virginia, IL died Monday, Mar. 10, 2025, at Walker Nursing Home.

He was born June 4, 1929, in Tallula, the son of Keith and Blanche (Jones) Bateman. He married Sylvia Joan Steele on June 5, 1950, in Springfield and she preceded him in death on June 17, 2015.

He is survived by two sons and seven daughters, Gary (Mary) Bateman, Linda (John) DeGroot, Susan (Craig) Burns, Joyce Bateman, Julie Bateman, Mark Bateman, Deborah (Paul) Durako, Sharon (Thomas) Fusco, and Laura Crowder; six grandchildren, Shane (Macy) Bateman, Taylor (Christine) Bateman, Eric (Penny) DeGroot, David (Lori) DeGroot, Kelsey Durako and Emily Durako; and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one son, Steven; and five sisters and one brother.

Mr. Bateman was a veteran of the Army National Guard. He was a very religious man and read from his Bible every day. He was proud to have built the four houses his family had lived in and was an excellent woodcarver. Dale enjoyed bicycling and was an avid jogger, and in his 50's he began running marathons.

A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025, at Garner Chapel Cemetery Memorials are suggested to Garner Chapel Cemetery. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Virginia is caring for the family. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com.