Dale Thomas Dillon

March 13, 1931- December 17, 2023

Dale Thomas Dillon passed away, peacefully, in his home on Bass Lake on December 17, 2023. He was 92 years old. He was born during a late season snowstorm at Munson Hospital on Friday March 13, 1931, to Thomas and Blossom (Seaburg) Dillon Jerue.

In his formative years, Dale's family traveled for his father's work; he has said he got a greater education from this than he ever got in school.  His family settled on a farm on Elk Lake Road in 1944. Dale then attended Elk Rapids High School, transferring to Williamsburg High School his senior year, where he graduated in 1948.

He married Emily Mae Goodman on January 6, 1951. During the early years of marriage, while raising 9 kids, Dale often worked more than one job.  One of the jobs was being a square dance caller for many clubs in the area. He and Emily went square dancing every Saturday night. Dale also sold world book encyclopedias, Kirby vacuum cleaners, Amway products, and his own blood. He did whatever it took to keep his family fed, clothed, and educated. Dale also worked for Parsons corporation, and Setwell corporation, both in Traverse City. He retired from Bruder corporation out of Chicago.

Like his parents, Dale always dreamed of owning a farm. That dream was realized in 1972, when he moved his family to a cherry farm on Elk Lake Road.

He is survived by his sons Mike (Christi), Marty, Kim (Michele), Kelly (Colleen), Kirk (Mati), and Mitch (Diane); his daughters, Kris (Richard) Dillon-Weathers, Karen (John) Baker, and Karel (Doug) Madsen; 29 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; and 4 great great grandchildren.

Dale was preceded in death by his wife, Emily; his parents, Tom and Blossom Dillon; his brother, Richard Dillon; brothers-in-law, Larry Goodman and Stanley Goodman; and sisters-in-law, Wanda Dillon, Connie Goodman, Louise Goodman, Peggy Goodman, and Mary Goodman.

He was a person of integrity, with truth, justice, fairness, and honesty, being the pillars of the man he chose to become. He never spoke a word out of meanness or degradation or prejudice. Dale was a craftsman, creating machinery, furniture, yard art, and wine. He was a poet, a wordsmith and a singer of songs. Dale had mastered the art of a hug, leaving people feeling so special, appreciated, and loved. And in true Irish form, he could be counted on for a good long story, a song, or the recital of one of his poems. Those of us left behind will hold the memory of those hugs, stories, songs, and poems close to our hearts, until we feel his hugs again.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Elk Rapids, the Rev. Christopher Jarvis celebrant.  Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM, Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, 312 Pine Street, Elk Rapids, Michigan 49629, with a time of sharing beginning at 6:00 PM.  Visitation will also be held from 10 AM until time of Mass at the church on Wednesday.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Elk Rapids Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com