Cecil Dale Driskill

Cecil Dale Driskill

February 15, 1948-September 19, 2021

Cecil Dale Driskill, age 73 of Hammond, passed away peacefully on Sunday September 19, 2021.  He was also known as Dale Cecil, which was due to having too many Cecil’s living in the same household during his childhood, also known as Zim, a name given to him from a lifelong work friend.  And not only did he go by the nickname Zim, but he also referred to everyone else as Zim. 

Dale was born in Chicago and spent his entire childhood growing up on the southside and never leaving the Chicagoland area for the rest of his lifetime.  Living in Chicago, he held various jobs from laundry service delivery driver for Monarchs, 7 Up delivery driver and to finally finding a permanent home at Amtrak in the local Pipefitters Union with his father Cecil “aka Papaw” in downtown Chicago.

From early in his youth, his love for baseball grew as he listened to the White Sox games on the radio while keeping score with his grandmother.  He would stay up late with his brother to watch the Sox games and when the team was playing on the west coast, the games would be on tv past midnight.

He also loved football and played Offensive lineman for the Semi-Pro South Suburban Raiders and then the Chicago Heights Broncos.  He loved the Chicago Bears and would go to the games with his Aunt Betty and brother at Wrigley Field and would always be late, since she went to church first. He also would travel to South Bend with his father and other family members to watch them on tv when not on in Chicagoland area.

We would watch the Bears/Packers games together as it was a big rivalry in the family along with playing games at functions such as LCR Dice and cards, including the game of “Blitz” and spades with the kids and grandkids.  He claimed he was the Spades Champ all the time. 

This passion he had for the game of baseball blossomed into a lifetime love of playing, coaching, watching and the never-ending comments about the white sox.  Being a coach to his children, grandchildren and all that came after him included are different levels of generations of baseball/softball players in so many different communities. His coaching and influence have been felt by all.  Later in his life, he served and volunteered as a counselor to the unfortunate, even at times when he was one of the unfortunates.

He is survived by his brother: Ralph (Linda) Driskill of Washington, his children: Vicky (Shayne) Stewart, Matthew (Dina) Driskill, Cheryl (Chris) Roberts, Scott (Ashley Wright) Driskill; stepchildren Marc (Jenna Smith) Hilmer, LeeAnn (Joe) Tumblson. Grandchildren: Kyle (Linda Sasser) & Corey (Kadijah) Stewart, Alexavier, Jeremy (Ashley Shideler) & Benjamin Driskill, Casey (Ian Soto) & Caitlin Roberts, Landyn & Everett Driskill; nieces/nephews: Erin Pauly, Elaine & Paul Driskill, Grace (Marciel) Ruiz along with many great nieces & nephews; also, cousins: Patricia (John) Light, Lori (Sue Werstak) Light, Kim (William “Skip”) Cisna, Chris (Natalie) Light and their families.

JOIN US IN HONORING HIS LEGACY BY WEARING YOUR TEAMS JERSEY OR YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS ATTIRE OR ANYTHING CASUAL, ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 AT BOCKEN FUNERAL HOME 7042 KENNEDY AVE. HAMMOND. VISITATION FROM 3:00 P.M. UNTIL 6:30 P.M. FUNERAL SERVICE AT 6:30 P.M. WITH PASTOR RALPH DRISKILL OFFICIATING.  In Lieu of flowers, please donate to St Jude Children’s Hospital, Cancer Research, or any other charity you would prefer. For additional information you may contact Bocken Funeral Home at 219-844-1600 or visit www.bockenfunerals.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Cecil Dale Driskill, please visit our floral store.