Elton Dale Dykens, of St. Clair, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the age of 88 years. He was born March 12, 1937, in Smith Center, Kansas, to Harold and Eva (Kern) Dykens.

Elton took great pride in building strong, lasting homes and had a lifelong love for flying.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Eva Dykens; his first wife, Linda Dykens; his second wife, Mary (Taggart) Dykens; two brothers, Arden and Louis Dykens; and one great-grandchild, Aria.

He is survived by two sons, Ron Dykens, of St. Clair, Missouri, and Donnie Dykens and his wife, Jane; one stepson, Mark Taggart, and his wife, Cricket; one stepdaughter, Elise Taggart; four grandchildren, Kody Hahn, Jacquelynne Brockman and her husband, Steven, Shelby Taggart, and Amber Luehrs; eight great-grandchildren, Connor, Levi, Isabella, Nova, Novalee, Faithlyn, Disney, and Hunter; Smokey, the dog; love to all his Dykens and Kern family; and many friends.