Dale Jerome Pung

What defines the measure of a man? For Dale Jerome Pung of Dewitt, MI, it wasn’t personal success or accolades. Dale knew that life could change in an instant, and lived his life so that each instant mattered. Paralyzed in a car accident at age 18, Dale never let his physical limitations define his ability to live life to the fullest.

He reveled in bringing joy and opportunity to others. His family meant more to him than anything. He loved his wife, Linda, dearly, and he was his daughter Tori’s biggest fan, attending every cheer competition always with bags of candy for the team in hand. He doted on his two granddaughters, Lacy and Camden, and was never too busy to fix their toys. A former foster father, he shared what he had most to give – his time and kind heart. He stayed in touch with two special foster children, Jason (Scottie) and Kitana Dye.

He not only loved to learn how to do new things, Dale also loved to teach, sharing his wisdom wherever he could. From yardwork, to fixing tractors to everyday life skills, Dale enjoyed passing on what he had learned. His passion for helping others was also evident through his commitment to sustainability which he practiced by growing his own food and using solar power. Most importantly, Dale did for others without expecting any recognition or praise, always doing random acts of kindness to make sure everyone was taken care of well but never wanting them to know he was behind it.

Above all, Dale loved his family and relished being a father and grandfather. Although they attended rival high schools, that couldn’t keep Dale apart from his wife, Linda, who he adoringly called “kid”. They started dating after high school and enjoyed 29 years of marriage. He provided for his family by working for more than 40 years for the State of Michigan as an IT specialist. He was hardworking and always dependable. His reliability was never more apparent than him putting off retirement, despite the encouragement of… well, everyone. This determination was not surprising to anyone who knew him after a life lived staying active and refusing to let obstacles stand in his way.

Although Dale was no stranger to excitement (he once saved three people from an overturned car), he most enjoyed the simple, familiar things in life. He relished time spent outdoors, John Deere tractors, the History channel, fishing on Rainbow Lake, and following church with a good breakfast at Flapjack’s… usually chicken fingers because no matter how long the menu, or how many questions he’d ask the servers about it, Dale always ended up with chicken fingers. He also enjoyed Sunday afternoon drives spent admiring well preserved barns, much like his own.

Born Nov. 27, 1954, Dale followed his parents, Donald and Bernadette Pung and brother, Gary Pung in death on Sept. 5, 2020. He will be lovingly missed and cherished by his surviving family, his wife, Linda (Harmon); his daughter, Victoria (Dan) Salinaz; his granddaughters, Lacy and Camden; his brother, Randy (Deanna) Pung; and his sisters, Sharon (Chris) Fink and Sue (Jim) Thelen; and his constant companion the family dog, Abella, who would not leave his side during his time in hospice care.

A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, September 11 at 10am at the Catholic Community of St. Jude, 810 N. Bridge St., DeWitt, MI. Visitation is scheduled at the church on Thursday from 4-8pm. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:30.

Those desiring may make contributions in Dale’s honor to the Catholic Community of St. Jude, 810 N. Bridge St., DeWitt, MI 48820 or to Sparrow Home Hospice, 1210 W. Saginaw Hwy., Lansing, MI 48915.

Online condolences at www.grdewitt.com