Dale Spilinek
Hastings resident Dale Spilinek, 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on June 19, 2026, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings.
A memorial service was held on Friday, June 26th, at First United Methodist Church in Hastings, with pastor Lance Clay officiating.
The service was livestreamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Dale’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lbvfh.com. Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home & Cremation Center is serving the family.
Dale requested memorials be given to the First United Methodist Church of Hastings, of which he was a member. He was also a member of the VFW, DAV, and American Legion.
Dale was born in Howard County on February 18, 1933, to Anton and Esther (Poss) Spilinek. He grew up working the family farm near Elba, and graduated from Elba High School in 1951, where he participated in basketball.
Dale was united in marriage to Sally Forbes on January 9, 1954, in McCook. While living in towns across Nebraska, they were blessed with five children, Steve, Scott, Mike, Shelly, and Chris.
Dale farmed with his mother before enlisting in the United States Army in January 1955. He served until being discharged in December 1956.
In 1957, Dale enrolled in linotype school in Charles City, Iowa, and then worked for newspapers in Wakefield and Fullerton. The family moved to Hastings in 1960, where he worked as an offset pressman in the graphic arts department of the Hastings Tribune, and then for Cornhusker Press in 1973.
In 1975, Dale changed careers and became a real estate salesman for Gateway Realty, and then, in 1982, he joined the United States Postal Service as a rural mail carrier until his retirement in 1997.
Dale’s love for playing baseball followed him and his family from town to town. In his early years, he played for Elba, St. Paul, Wakefield, Fullerton, Genoa, and a city league in Grand Island. When the family moved to Hastings, he played fast pitch softball for several years. After hanging up his cleats, he coached his sons’ baseball teams for fifteen years.
Dale also had a passion for bowling, which he passed on to his family. He participated in weekly leagues and tournaments for many years.
Dale and Sally enjoyed traveling the world together. They visited forty- eight states and many countries on several ocean and river cruises. They especially enjoyed attending Husker football games with their season tickets since 1965, rarely missing a game. They also attended many away and bowl games, often with their Husker van filled with friends.
Dale and Sally were constantly on the go, playing video poker at various casinos, picking winners at the horse races, and following their children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s numerous activities.
Dale owned a boat for much of his family life and was affectionately known as “Grandpa Boat” when he and Sally lived on the lake. It was taken on many family camping trips for fishing, skiing, and tubing fun. His love of camping spread throughout the family, culminating in the upcoming Fortieth Annual Spilinek Campout.
Dale was preceded in death by his wife, Sally; son, Steve; daughter, Shelly; grandson, Tyson; mother and father; stepfather, Ed Matousek; brothers, Ralph and Gerald; sister, Rosella Noden; and infant sister, Geraldine.
Dale is survived by his sons and their wives, Scott and Cindy of Weeping Water, Mike and Denise of Grand Island, and Chris and Elizabeth of Hastings; twelve grandchildren, Linsday (Jeff), Jeremy (Lisa), Megan (Ryan), Brad (Mel), Geoff (Amanda), Drew (Kathleen), Melanie (Matt), Justin (Jessica), Caitlin (Steven), Mason (Annmarie), Collin (Emma), and Sarah (Isaac); twenty- nine great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Jim Forbes of Palmer; and nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
The Phonograph-Herald | July 1, 2026