Obituary for Dale McLeland

Dale McLeland

October 18, 1943 – December 18, 2023

Dale Wayne McLeland, 80, of Ponca City, OK, left this life on earth December 18, 2023 and entered his heavenly home. A Funeral Ceremony will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, December 28, 2023, at Trout Funeral Home Chapel. A private, family burial will take place at Resthaven Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK, 74601.

Dale was born on October 18, 1943, in Muncie, IN, to Everett and Marjorie (McKowen) McLeland. He graduated from Elmhurst High school in Fort Wayne, IN, in 1962. Dale met the love of his life, Theresa McLeland, in 1979. After graduating with his associate degree in 1986, from ITT Technical Institute, they relocated to Ponca City, Oklahoma. Dale traveled the country for over 40 years in the trucking industry as “Johnny Wonder”. He traveled to 49 states over the course of his career and loved to share stories of his travels to what he called “the most beautiful country.” He was very proud to start his own trucking company, DMT (Driving My Truck) Trucking, in 1998. Dale then went on to travel over 2.5 million miles in his beloved W-900.

Dale never met a stranger and made many friends during his travels who became his family out there on the road. He could help you navigate your way nearly everywhere by highway mile markers. His favorite being exit/mile marker 214 to come home. If you ever asked him how he made all those years on the road he would say “watch out for the other guy.” He never missed an opportunity give you a compliment or tell you he was proud of you. He loved spending time with his loyal companion; Margo, family and friends.

Dale is survived by: his wife, Theresa, of the home; daughters, Mandi Grimes of Ponca City, OK; Michelle Baltes and her husband, Fred, of Ft. Wayne, IN; son, Shawn Perrin and his wife Aria, of Ft. Wayne, IN; 6 grandchildren, Hayli, Ayla, Tara, Zach and Josh; 3 great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Goelz and her husband, John, of Ft. Wayne, IN; and several nieces and nephews.

Dale was preceded in death by; his parents, Everett and Marjorie; brother, Dennis and grandchild, Gabe.

Source: Trout Funeral Home