Dale Gender

Dale LeRoy Gender, age 87, of Gowen, passed away at home on Monday, November 2, 2015. The son of Clyde & Lottie (Green) Gender, he was born on November 27, 1927 in Gowen. A proud veteran of the U.S. Army, Dale served as part of the Army of Occupation in Japan following World War II and again during the Korean War. He had been a member of the Stanton American Legion Post No. 452, and was currently a member of the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101. He also was a member of the Trufant Masonic Lodge No. 456 F&AM. On March 3, 1951, in Belding, he married the former Barbara J. Bradley and together they enjoyed almost 50 years of marriage and raised two children. Dale retired from Federal-Mogul Corp. after 40 years of service and enjoyed hunting, playing and watching baseball, snowmobiling in his younger years, and feeding the birds around his home. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Barbara J. "Bobbi" Gender on January 28, 2000; a sister, Maxine Wood; and a brother, Don Gender. Surviving are his children, Vickie & Doug Hilderbrant of Greenville, Alan & Pam Gender of Greenville; his grandchildren, Bobbi Jo & Brian Caswell, Kevin & Rebecca Hilderbrant, Craig & Mackenzie Gender, Traci & John Boyce, Jerrad & Brandi Gender, Melissa Keene, and Jennifer Kuba; seventeen great grandchildren; a brother, Bruce Gender; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Committal services are at 1:00 p.m. on Friday at the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101, 1320 W. Washington Street, Greenville. The Rev. Paul Dickson, pastor of First Baptist Church of Greenville, will officiate and military honors, jointly rendered by Dale's Legionnaire comrades and the U.S. Army will conclude the ceremonies. A time of food and fellowship will immediately follow the veteran's tribute and burial will take place privately at West Montcalm Cemetery. Instead of flowers, Dale would have appreciated contributions in his memory to the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101. Envelopes will be available at the hall. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dale Gender, please visit our flower store.