Tears fill my eyes as I write to let you know that Dale is cancer free and at peace.  Friday (11/9) morning my daughter Kelsey, sister Amy, hospice nurse Adrianna and I were at Dale's side as he took his last breath on earth and his first breath in heaven.  We are comforted that his suffering is over and that he is meeting Jesus face to face.
I recently heard that you beat cancer by the way you live.  Dale was diagnosed 14 months ago.  He bravely received harsh chemotherapy with all of its side effects and was willing to try other treatments with unknown benefits.  He endured prostate surgery and recovered from pneumonia as he fought cancer this year.  Even though he had other health issues to deal with, he never missed a scheduled Chemo treatment.  While his body battled, his spirit soared.  Dale would not be kept down.  He didn't have a bucket list to check off things he hadn't yet done or accomplished in his life.  His burning desire was to be with the people he loved and deepen his relationship with Jesus. Loving God,  family and friends, with a positive attitude, no matter the circumstance, is how Dale beat cancer.
During the last two months we are so thankful for the time we had together.  We had many sweet moments and conversations.  We are already feeling the void of his absence.  We miss his warmth, smile, care and deep love for us.  As we move forward, we know that we can trust and rely on God to comfort, provide and strengthen us.   

If you would like to celebrate Dale's life, please join us next weekend:
Visitation Sunday November 18 2:00-6:00 pm at Friedrich-Jones 44 S Mill Street Naperville, IL
Funeral Service Monday November 19 10:30 am at The Compass Church 520 E Roosevelt Rd Wheaton, IL  Lunch, at the church, will follow the service.
We are thankful for the Caring Bridge website.  It has been an awesome way for us to share our journey with you this year, as well as receive so much encouragement from you as you responded to our journal posts.
We are also grateful for the excellent care and treatment we received from the Edward Hospital Cancer Center in Naperville.  
If you would like to honor Dale's memory, we request, in lieu of flowers, please donate to either Caring Bridge (which can be done very easily from this site) or The Edward Foundation Cancer Center 801 S Washington Street Naperville, IL 60504
Dale's obituary can be found online at friedrichjones.com

Many Thanks!
Love,
Betsy

"We are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.  Yes we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:6-8