Dale Aldrich Day

Dale was born on January 26, 1962, to Dan and Joyce (Martin) Day in Chicago, Illinois. His family later moved to Glenview where Dale attended junior high and high school at Glenbrook South. Some highlights in high school include playing saxophone in the marching band and performing in the Rose Bowl and Orange Bowl. After graduating high school, he attended Grace Bible College for one year and also traveled with the music group Salt and Light for a year, sponsored by Youth for Christ. Later on, after getting married and becoming a father, he attended Northeastern University in Illinois to obtain his CPA license. In 1981, he was reintroduced to Dawn Dorace DeVelasco at a Bible study at Norwood Bible Church. They were married on November 13, 1982 at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Chapel and just celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary. They welcomed three children into the world: Dionna Dorace DeVelasco (1984), Crystal Grace Martin (1987), and Sean Dale Aldrich (1990), followed by six grandsons Duke (2008), Maverick (2009), Abel (2010), Dakota (2010), Paxton (2011), and Gunner (2013). They had a wonderful, loving marriage.

After returning from GBC and traveling with Salt and Light, Dale returned home to work for his dad’s full service Texaco Gas Station in downtown Chicago. After Texaco was purchased by Mobil Oil, he continued maintaining that same gas station as a manager, in addition to several others for Mobil. While working for Mobil, he obtained his CPA license and eventually left the gas station business to work for an accounting firm named Cray Kaiser for two years. He felt the Lord calling him to move to Michigan in 1990 where he initially worked for Hudsonville Trailer as a bookkeeper and accountant. Throughout his tenure at Hudsonville Trailer, the Lord blessed and promoted him through the ranks of junior partner, partner, and eventually minority owner. He retired in 2022 and enjoyed a few years of traveling with his lovely wife, Dawn.

Dale loved music and playing his saxophone, and he participated in many ensembles and bands, including his high school band and marching band, B-Bop, DB Horns, Holland American Legion, Zeeland Community Band, Hark Up, and a few church worship bands. He played with these bands and traveled with them from the streets of Holland, to local churches and festivals, all the

way to Normandy, France, with the American Legion Band in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of D-Day. He also served on many boards and supported many ministries, including Grace Ministries International, Grace Gospel Fellowship, Grace Christian University, Grace Adventures, Rush Creek Bible Church, Salt Ministries, Master Arts Theatre, International Needs, and Youth for Christ. These organizations and ministries were all very near and dear to his heart, and he used the gifts God gave him for them.

Dale is preceded in glory by his father, Daniel Aldrich Day; father-in-law, Joseph Edward DeVelasco; aunt, Gloria Koch; close cousin, Bob Koch; niece, Cheyenne Taylor DeVelasco; and cousin, Burton McGarvey. He is survived by his mother, Joyce Meredith (Martin) Day; wife, Dawn Dorace (DeVelasco) Day; children Dionna (Drew) Gustafson, Crystal (Adam) York, and Sean Day; grandchildren Duke and Abel Gustafson, Maverick, Dakota, Paxton, and Gunner York; siblings Dori Day, James (Sharon) Day; mother-in-law, Corinne DeVelasco; siblings-in-law Sue Tywan, Pam (Rich) Gliganic, Craig (Joanell) DeVelasco, Keith DeVelasco, Brent (NormaJean) DeVelasco, Danielle DeVelasco (Tim Hoffman); nieces Sarah (Dave) Seeley, Rachel (Drew) Foster, Kiley (Sam) Leopardo, Atalie (Joe) Kuchay, Carly Tywan, Madison DeVelasco, and Emma Hoffman; nephews Daniel (Andrea) Day, Joe (Brianna) Hooker, Austin Getz, Derek (Lorie) Tywan, Connor Tywan, Dylan Tywan, Cameron DeVelasco, Colton (Emily) DeVelasco, Sagan Hoffman; eight grand-nephews, and two grand-nieces.

A celebration of life service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026, with visitation one hour prior to the service, at Rush Creek Bible Church, 2334 76th St. SW, Byron Center, Michigan. A dinner will follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of the ministries that Dale served: Grace Ministries International, Grace Gospel Fellowship, Grace Christian University, Grace Adventures, Rush Creek Bible Church, Salt Ministries, Master Arts Theatre, International Needs, and Youth for Christ. Donation envelopes will be provided at the service. The family welcomes memories and messages at cookcaresgrandville.com in their online guestbook.