Ruby Dolores Burks Essick fell asleep in the Lord on Monday, October 22, 2007 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines following a courageous battle with lung cancer.  Services will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 25 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola with burial following in the I.O.O.F. Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Dolores was born November 5, 1955 to John and Dolores Burks and grew up to be a beautiful, wonderful daughter, wife, mother and grandmother.  She was a true friend to all who knew her.  Dolores graduated from Lincoln High School and was a member of Temple of Rest Assembly Church in Des Moines.  She had been employed with Otis Elevator for over 30 years.  Dennis and Dolores had a wonderful life together.  They enjoyed traveling, their newly built home and the companionship of their dogs, George and Megan.

Dolores is survived by her loving husband, Dennis Essick; her parents; and her children, Dale Belieu III, and wife Jenny, Diana Day and husband, Kevin and Jacob Belieu.  Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Savannah, Joanie and Dale Belieu IV, Kalli, Kirsten, Cameron and Curtis Day; seven sisters, Laura Tonsi, Jeanine Edwards, Naomi Ridener, Nova Levine, Mary Sinclair, Sarah Smith and Ruth Stec; 30 nieces and nephews and many brothers and sisters in the Lord.  Her loved ones also asleep in the Lord are her grandparents, John and Martha Burks, Everett Carpenter, Ruby Carpenter Barr and Glen Barr; and a brother, John Harrison Burks. Visitation will be held 4 – 8 p.m., Wednesday, October 24 at Overton Funeral Home where family will be present to greet friends from 6:30 – 8 p.m.  Memorial may be given to the family in her name.