Dale's Southlake Pharmacy

"I love getting to be a healthcare resource for my friends and neighbors. Through building the one-on-one relationship with our customers, we have a better idea of what their healthcare needs are today. You can get prescriptions anywhere, but you can only get the personalized service that you need at our stores. With over 40 years of Pharmacy service to the community, I have found that your pharmacist should also be your friend. That is why we are "Friends Helping Friends".- Dale Colee, Owner/RPh.

Dale and Rita Colee have a history in the healthcare field. Dale is a native of Tolono & Springfield, IL. He graduated from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and came to Decatur to work for Enloe Drugs. During the 1980s, he owned a medical supply business, sold it, and went to work as a Vice President at Decatur Memorial Hospital. He later returned to the retail pharmacy realm full-time at Family Drug. When Family Drug was sold to Kroger in 2004, Dale recognized the need for an independent pharmacy in the area, so he and his wife took over the South Shores location to open Dale's Southlake Pharmacy in September 2004. Dale is the co-owner of both locations, and the Pharmacist-in-Charge at Dale's Southlake Pharmacy.

Dale's wife, Rita, is from Blue Mound, IL. She attended DMH's School of Radiologic Medicine and became an X-ray Technician. After two decades in that field, she earned her RN degree at Richland Community College. Both Dale and Rita have served on the Richland Board of Trustees, and believe in the power of a quality education. Rita has worked at St. Mary's Hospital, in the Health Services area of Millikin University, and for specialists in the Decatur area. Rita Colee is a co-owner of both locations, and helps purchase gift merchandise for the stores.

Another component to this family-owned business is the addition of their children as co-workers in this venture. All four children graduated from Maroa-Forsyth High School. Their son, Kyle, assists with human resources and benefits for the company. Their oldest "favorite" daughter, Lauren, graduated from St. Louis University, and returned to the Decatur area. She is the Marketing & Merchandise Manager, and helps with the daily business operations for both locations. Their middle "favorite" daughter, Erica Colee, PharmD., graduated from St. Louis College of Pharmacy is the Pharmacist-in-Charge at Colee's Corner Drugs. Their youngest "favorite" daughter, Alyssa, assists Rita and Lauren with merchandising for the two locations.

For years, the Colee family has been asked when a second location was going to open. In 2014, Colee's Corner Drugs opened in Forsyth, IL. Thank you for all of the support of our businesses over the past 10 years, and we appreciate your support in the future.