It is with great sadness that the family of Mr. John David Daleske (b. May 28th 1953 in Des Moines, Iowa) announces his sudden passing on August 17th 2023, at the age of 70. He left this world doing what he loved most – helping others. He led a life full of love, thoughtfulness, innovation and, especially, laughter.

He was at the forefront of computer programming and gaming when he created the first multiplayer computer game that could be played through the phone line, Empire. He followed that innovation by being the first to find his life-long partner and wife, Reina Jones Daleske, using ''chatrooms'' on PLATO back in 1977. He was living in Minnesota while Reina lived in Ohio. He was customer support for her while she demonstrated a PLATO computer-based education program for surgeons on how to perform surgery at Ohio State University Hospital. They married in October 1977 and had two daughters. He also opened his home to exchange students who he welcomed warmly into the family. He, too, had been an exchange student to Finland in his youth and still considered Hannu Niileksela (and family) to be part of the Daleske family.

John was a Second Lieutenant in the Ohio National Guard and received a Bachelor of Science and Humanities from Iowa State University. He worked for such companies as Control Data, Stratus, Lucent and Century Link as well as Silver Dollar City as a cave guide. His favorite activities included going on drives to look for eagles, teaching his granddaughter and other children how to program robots, traveling, family game night, and laughing.

Laughter was very important to John, and he was the epitome of dad jokes and goofing around. He was immensely creative – enjoying writing and playing instruments like the dulcimer, didjeridu, and pennywhistle. He was a clown, loved magic, and even attended miming classes in college. (Which led to many mime-incidents in long waiting lines!) He was never afraid to be who he was and proudly sported Hawaiian shirts and black socks with sandals. No matter where he went, he would find a new friend to talk to as if he'd known them for years. He spent his retirement days building a camper van and writing his novel. He was a proud member of the Ozarks Writers League, Ozark Mountain Guild of Writers, and the Tri-Lakes Community Singers.

Of all the amazing things he was, the most important were his roles as husband, father, and grandfather. His never-ending support and love was given unconditionally. He will be missed dearly, loved always, and remembered fondly.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Margaret Daleske and his brother, Thomas. He is survived by his wife, Reina Jones Daleske of Branson West, Missouri, daughters Anne Elizabeth Daleske Bergset (Svein Arild) of Stryn, Norway and Lauren Michelle (Daleske) Jones (Pete) of Branson West, Missouri, granddaughter Elsie, sister Karen Balkema, brother Michael (Jeri) and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, at 1:00 PM at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 30 James River Road, Kimberling City, Missouri with Pastor Tom Schacher leading the service. Internment will be at a later date. Cremation was under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home, Kimberling City, MO.