Dale Hawes

Dale D. Hawes, Sr., age 79, of Greenville, passed away Saturday afternoon, November 14, 2009 at his home under the loving care of his family. The son of Richard Daniel & Ena Belle (Slentz) Hawes, he was born on Feb. 27, 1930 in Kalamazoo and was a 1949 graduate of Greenville High School. A veteran of the Korean War, Dale proudly served with the U.S. Army and was a life member of the Lester J. Sitts VFW Post 5065 in Sheridan, as well as the Ray I. Booth American Legion Post 101 in Greenville where he had served as Sergeant-at-Arms and organized the funeral honors detail for many years in addition to volunteering at countless fish frys. Following his discharge from the service, Dale returned to Greenville where he worked delivering milk for Blandings Dairy as well as driving school bus for Greenville Public Schools. On Oct. 30, 1964, in Stanton, he married the former Julia (Lintz) Hansen. In 1992, Dale retired from the Fisher Body Division of General Motors in Lansing, where he worked for 25 years as a repairman. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge, the United Auto Workers, and enjoyed fishing and hunting but found his greatest joy in his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, Allan VanLeeuwen; and a granddaughter, Mari Hawes. Surviving are his wife of 45 years, Julia Hawes of Greenville; his daughters, Cheryl & Kim Merritt of Greenville, Karen & Biff Harris of Morley, Brenda & Ron Tipton, Michelle & Jeff Bannen, Carol & Steve Rittersdorf, all of Greenville; his sons, Dan Hawes of Greenville and Tom Hawes of Rochester; 21 grandchildren; and 22 great grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister, Elaine VanLeeuwen of Portage; siblings-in-law, Edna Denman, Dorance Lintz, Marzee Basil, Don & Connie Maness, Marshall Lintz, and Nitabelle Lintz; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation is Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Christiansen Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 511 S. Franklin Street , Greenville, where funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Dales nephew, Rev. Jim Maness will officiate and burial, with full military honors, will follow at East Montcalm Cemetery. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dale Hawes, please visit our flower store.