Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Thelen, Dale Leonard February 7, 2016
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Pat Currigan currigan1932@comcast.net July 4, 2020, 7:11 am

Ionia Sentinel Standard-Wed. Feb. 10, 2016

DALE LEONARD THELEN
Dale Leonard Thelen, age 69, completed his journey here on earth on Feb. 7, 
2016. He fought so very hard and courageously during his three-year battle with 
cancer due to his exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam. The son of 
Harold and Germaine (Snitgen) Thelen. Dale was born on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2, 
1947, at the family farm in Westphalia; he lived in Westphalia his entire life.

Dale graduated with the great class of 1965 from Pewamo-Westphalia High School. 
After graduation he was drafted into the United States marine Corps. Dale was a 
corporal attached to the 1st Marine Air Wing Company  MABS-36, MAG 36 serving in 
Vietnam from March 17, 1966 to March 15, 1968. After his tour of duty dale 
returned home and married Susan Feldpausch. Their union produced three children.


Dale worked at General Motors as a senior supervisor in the vehicle shipping 
department retiring April 1, 2004, after 38 years of service. He was lovingly 
know as "Brisbo." He also received, unanimously, the "if it's free, it's for me" 
award presented by the chassis materials department. Dale earned his BA from 
Northwood University.

Dale was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Westphalia, the Catholic 
Order of Foresters, Knights of Columbus, and the St. Joseph Society.

Dale was preceded in death by his first wife, Susan; his parents; and very 
special niece, Kristen Bierwagen.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Barbara (McCoy) Thelen; sons, Derrick 
and wife Michelle, Ryan and wife Becky, Zachary Whitinger and wife Sara; 
daughter Jacqui and husband Troy Nisse; 10 grandchildren, Joshua and Makayla 
Thelen, Bryce,Kiera, Brock and Kambrie Thelen, Kimberly Bowman, Hunter 
Whitinger, Daley and Laci Nissen; sister, Doreen and husband Richard Bierwagen; 
brothers, Al and wife Carol Thelen, and Glenn and wife Sandy Thelen; aunt, Donna 
Snitgen; many wonderful cousins; and mother-in-law, Evelyn Sheary of Godffrey, 
Illinois.

Dale loved attending his grandchildren's sporting events. After retirement he 
spent many wonderful hours at the cottage on Big Evans Lake, fishing for (his 
Favorite) Pike and like every fisherman describing (to everyone who would 
listen) about that big one that got away. He loved playing cards, Bolo Ball 
(ladder golf), and just hanging out with his friends and family around his 
never-ending campfire. A huge thank you to his card playing a Bolo Ball-playing 
buddies Jerry and darlene, Bob and Carla, Sandy, Tom and Sue, and Rich (Who he 
was known to tip a few with), our weekend neighbors from Royal Oak, Bob, Donna, 
Aimee and drew, and last but not least his brother, Al, for always being there 
at the lake to help him out. Thank you all for making his last few years so 
wonderful.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM Thursday, Feb 11, 2016 at St. 
Mary parish, 201 N. Westphalia St., in Westphalia. Interment will follow in 
St.Mary's cemetery. His family will receive friends at the St. Mary funeral 
Chapel from 6-8 PM Tuesday with a 6 PM Rosary, and 2-4 and 6-8 PM Wednesday, 
where the Rosary will be prayed at 2 PM and 6 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior 
Project or St. Jude Children's Research hospital in memory of Dale Thelen. 
Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Online condolences 
may be left for this family at www.EstesLeadley.com

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/t/thelen37474nob.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/

File size: 4.0 Kb