Dale Taft Callister passed away October 15, 2018 at home after 94 wonderful years of life. Surrounded by family and friends, he expressed his love and gratitude to each of us, then quietly departed this earth. He is now reunited with his dearly beloved wife Gwen, daughter Annette and all of his family who'd gone on before him.
Dale was born in Salt Lake City in 1924 to Dr. Alfred Cyril and Vera Harriet Taft Callister, the fourth of five children. He graduated from East High school and the University of Utah with a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Microbiology. He served in World War II from 1943 to 1946, helping to setup the Army's 313th General Hospital on Luzon in the Philippines where he worked as a laboratory technician. His training and experience in the Military inspired a 37 year career in Microbiology. He retired in 1986 in charge of the Bacteriology laboratory at the Utah Department of Health.
Dale married Gwen Hogge in 1952 and was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. They were blessed with 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Family was first and foremost for Dale, a devoted, loving husband and father. He loved annual family reunions camping at Holland Lake, fishing the Jocko River with Gwen's twin brother Grant, building and fixing things around the house, raising fruit trees and gardens. He loved to sing in ward choirs and served in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Tragedy struck in 1983 when his sweetheart Gwen died at age 56 of breast cancer, leaving Dale forlorn and heartbroken. Dale was helped by a support organization for widows and widowers where he met Mary Louise Curtis Mellor, a lovely widow with 5 adult children. Dear Louise brought hope, companionship and happiness back into Dale's life as he began his retirement years. They were married in April 1984. Dale began service as a Temple worker that spanned nearly 3 decades and brought joy, fulfillment and cherished friendships. He and Louise bought a motor home and joined a camping club. They were active members of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers where Dale served as Treasurer for many years. Dale was generous, loving and appreciative. He continued his love of learning, collecting sentimental mementos and eating his daily Hershey bar with almonds.
Dale lived a clean life, physically and morally, in word and in thought. He was blessed with good health, strong faith and happiness. He was fiercely loyal to family, friends and faith to his last breath. In a world of pretense and manipulation, Dale was bluntly honest and direct. No one was left wondering what Dale thought, felt or what he stood for.
Dale is survived by his wife of 34 years Mary Louise Callister, children Elaine (Gerd) Eysser, Gary (Jeanette), Janeal (Tom) McEwan, Neil (Andrea); stepchildren David (Denise) Mellor, Tamera (Pride) Alldredge, Leca (Mark) Bonelli, Sharon (Greg Newbold) and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Dale was preceded in death by his wife of 30 years, Gwen Callister (1926 ‚ 1983), daughter Annette, parents Alfred Cyril Callister and Vera Harriet Taft Callister, Sisters June, Denny, Vera, brother Cyril and stepdaughter Linda Mellor.
Viewings will be held Friday, October 19, 2018, 6PM to 8PM and Saturday morning October 20, 2018 at 10AM to 11AM preceding Funeral Services on Saturday at 11:30AM. Viewings and Funeral will be at the Meadowlark Ward, 2180 E Meadowlark Way 9020 S, Sandy, UT 84093. Interment will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
