Dale Lentz

Dale E. “Whipp” Lentz, age 90, of Reed City, passed peacefully Monday morning, July 22, 2024 at his home under the loving care of his family and Corewell Health Hospice. The son of Cloyce and Catherine (Lanham) Lentz, he was born on November 10, 1933 in Chelsea, Michigan. He was raised early on by his grandmother Maud near Gun Lake, Michigan. They owned a roller rink and Dale was quite a roller skater by the age of 5, performing stunts and tricks for people. The local newspaper even came to the rink, took pictures and wrote an article about him and the rink. After graduating from Reed City High School, Dale proudly served in the United States Army and was a veteran of the Korean War era. He attained the rank of Sergeant and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Motor Vehicle Drivers Badge, and the Expert and Sharpshooters badges. On December 8,1956 he married his wife Violet “Vi” Decator and together they raised three children, enjoying 67 years of marriage. Dale worked at Evart Products (formerly American Motors and Chrysler) as a Purchasing Agent for 38 years, retiring in 2000. He enjoyed Bowling and was president of the Big Rapids Bowling League for many years. He bowled for the Osceola Inn team. Their team was known as the “Boot” team. (those who know, know) Dale and Vi were charter members of Spring Valley Golf Course where the family picked rocks from the fairways to help open the course. He was a statistics person, he helped manage the Michigan Cigar softball team that Dwight played on in the early 80’s (he may have been known to do the ‘gator’ at the Alibi and at the fire barn in Leroy after a long day of tournament play). He worked the basketball bench with Richard Allen where he kept the books for Reed City Basketball for 30 years. He also enjoyed snowmobiling and fishing. His special joy was cheering on his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in all sports they were participating in, especially recently great-grandson twins Izaiah and Elijah Lentz. You may also have seen him with Vi at one of the local Casino’s, where he would chase the numbers on a Keno machine for hours and did quite well. An active member of the Masonic fraternities, Dale served in a number of offices at the Lou B. Winsor Masonic Lodge No. 363 F&AM in Reed City, including several terms as Master of the Lodge. He was secretary of the lodge for 62 years! He was also a member of the Saladin Shrine Temple, having served as Potentate in 2011 and was a member of several Shrine clubs and units including the Lakeland Shrine Club and the Legion of Honor, and the Great Lakes Shrine Association. Dale also held honorary memberships in Shrine Temples throughout the United States and belonged to many other affiliated groups including the Royal Order of the Jesters. He made many trips transporting children to the Shriners Children's Hospital in Chicago with longtime friend Richard “Dick” Allen. As many will attest, if you saw Dale, or Dale and Vi, you saw Dick. Vi would also chauffeur Dale, Dick and Jay Williams to many Shrine events. They made some awesome memories throughout the years. Dale also coordinated the Shriner Vidalia Onion Fundraiser for many years. He enjoyed setting up his van, table and handmade signs to sell onions. Welcoming him to Heaven are his parents Cloyce & Catherine; siblings William “Bill”, Lavonne “Bonnie”, Carl “Lucky”, Carol, Shirley, Kenneth “Butch”. He will be watching over his wife, Vi Lentz of Reed City; their children, Dwight & Kimberly Lentz of Evart, Teresa & Robert Camper of Twin Lakes, Colorado, and Duane “Jake” & Noreen Lentz of Henderson Nevada; his grandchildren, Arik Lentz, Sara & Caleb Eaton, Jacob & Ashley Allan, Brandon Lentz, Rachael Lentz, Cody & Amanda Navarre, Paige & Anthony Patterson, Sarah & Jeff Sproull, Jared & Christina Camper, and Leah & Adam Graham; seventeen great-grandchildren; a sister, Patricia & Don Lockhart; a sister-in-law, Norma Day; and a special “adopted” granddaughter, Sarah Spruit. Also surviving are a brother, James & Nancy Lentz; and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to the staff at Susan P Wheatlake Cancer Center and Corewell Health Hospice for the amazing affection and care shown to Dale, Vi and the family during this difficult time. Visitation with the family is from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Camp Albright and Event Center, 3156 S. 190th Ave Reed City, MI 49677, with a Celebration of Dale’s Life beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday which will include Masonic Rites conducted by members of the Lou. B. Winsor Masonic Lodge No. 363 F&AM and military honors rendered by the U.S. Army, followed by a luncheon. Please dress casual. Instead of flowers, Dale would have appreciated contributions in his memory to either the Meceola Currie Comfort Home (https://www.meceolaCurriecomforthome.com/) or Susan P Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center (https://give.corewellhealth.org/donate/search/complete-gift?fid=8a428139-a126-42af-b74b-bac9056aab71) To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Dale’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Robert Christiansen, P.M. of Greenville Masonic Lodge No. 96 F&AM, a Noble of the Saladin Shriners, and owner of Christiansen’s Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, 616-754-5638. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dale Lentz, please visit our flower store.