Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Dye, Wilbur W. September 6, 2004
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Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net May 27, 2010, 7:21 pm

The Ionia Daily Sentinel-Standard, September 8, 2004
Wilber W. Dye, aged 97, of Lake Odessa, was called Home to be with the Lord he 
loved on Monday afternoon, September 6, 2004.  Wilber Wilson Dye was born in 
Brooklyn, Mich., on September 3, 1907 to Harry and Ada (Day) Dye. His family 
moved to Lake Odessa when Wilber was 11 years old. He graduated from Lake 
Odessa High School in 1928. On August 31, 1930 he was married to Margaret 
Mesecar in the parsonage of the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Lake 
Odessa by Rev. Wolverton. Wilber and Margaret lived most of their married life 
in the Lake Odessa area, including 67 years together at their home on 
Washington Blvd.  Margaret passed away on September 20, 2000, after observing 
their 70 th wedding anniversary on August 31, 2000. Wilber was always a hard 
working man; he had managed the Kroger stores in Freeport and Lake Odessa, and 
then worked as a tool and die maker for Lake Odessa Machine Products for 25 
years and TRW in Portland for 10 years before retiring in 1973.

He enjoyed gardening and generously shared vegetables and berries with family 
and friends. He had learned the carpentry trade from his father, and put it to 
good use over the years on his own home and generously shared his skills with 
others.  After he retired, he continued to enjoy woodworking and made many 
special items for his family and friends. The church had always been a very 
important part of Wilber's life. He had been an 80-year member of the former 
E.U.B. Church of Lake Odessa, which merged with the Woodland E.U.B. Church, to 
form the Lakewood United Methodist Church. Wilber had always been a faithful 
contributor and supporter. He took his vows very seriously to support the 
church with his prayers, his presence, his gifts, and his service. He served 
as Sunday School Superintendent, Trustee, and Treasurer of the Building Fund 
for many years. One of the joys Wilber experienced as Lakewood United 
Methodist celebrated its 10th anniversary on April 2, 1978 and the completion 
of the new building project was having the honor of burning the mortgage.

Wilber has lost many family members through the years, his parents, Harry and 
Ada Dye; his wife, Margaret; sister Ruth; stepsister, Golda; brother, Irwin; 
step-brother, David; son, Dallas; and granddaughter Brenda.  He is survived by 
his daughter, Lois (Melvin) Batholomew; son, Larry (Barbara) Dye; nine 
grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Virginia Dye; nieces, 
Millicent and Sue; nephew, James; and many other loving relatives and friends. 

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Koops Funeral 
Chapel in Lake Odessa. The funeral service will be held on 11 a.m. on 
Thursday, September 9 at the Lakewood United Methodist Church. Burial will be 
in Lakeside Cemetery. The family has suggested that memorial contributions may 
be made to the Lakewood United Methodist Church Memorial Fund or the Barry 
Community Hospice.



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