Alfred Dale Mortenbeck

Alfred Dale Mortenbeck, 83, peacefully passed away on March 18, 2021. He was a lifelong resident of Indianapolis. He worked most of his adult life at Chrysler Corporation as a machine operator and retired in 1994 as a Problem Solver in Chrysler's Quality and Process Improvement Department.

Dale was a hard worker who rarely missed a day of work over the decades and provided a good life for his family. At 19 years old, this city boy bought some acreage out in the country, met and married the love of his life, Leota, and together they made their dreams come to life. They worked hard, built their home, and together created their family having three daughters. They raised them on their mini-ranch complete with horses, dogs (he never met a stray dog that he didn't love and adopt into the family), cats, and even a rabbit.

Dale had a great sense of humor with a joke for any occasion and a tender and generous heart. He was often lovingly referred to as the world's oldest teenager as his interests and hobbies were centered around the nostalgia of his youth. He had a passion for old classic cars and had several beauties over the years that were restored to their original glory. He was surrounded by his jukeboxes from which he enjoyed listening to his vast music collection of his favorite "Oldies but Goodies." He was even commissioned to restore a jukebox for display at the Indianapolis Children's Museum. He enjoyed collecting nostalgic items ranging anywhere from toys from his childhood, up to a bumper car from an old amusement park that he restored, and everything in between. He went as far as having a replica of an old time diner built in his back yard and converted one part of the house into a retro diner counter and fully functioning soda fountain.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil A. Mortenbeck and Eleanor B. Mortenbeck.

Dale is survived by his wife of 59 years, Leota Mortenbeck; his three daughters Connie Menale, Crystal (Jeff) Hansen, and Rhonda Mortenbeck; seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and sister Sharon Mortenbeck.

In light of COVID concerns, visitation for family and close friends will be Wednesday, March 24, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Indiana Funeral Care, 2433 E. Main St., Greenwood Chapel. Funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m., and burial will immediately follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Greenwood, Indiana. There will be no post-burial gathering.