Dale Paul Hedding

Hedding, Dale Paul, age 80, passed away Saturday, June 15, 2019 at home in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 pm, Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Hill Funeral Home 11723 S. Saginaw St., Grand Blanc, Michigan. Rev. Roger Colby and Rev Edward Hedding will officiate. The family will receive family and friends Friday, June 21st from 1pm to 8 pm at the Hill Funeral Home and also on June 22, 2019, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, immediately preceding the funeral. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to FISH, Inc. and Grand Blanc United Methodist Church/ General fund in memory of Dale. Dale was born on March 31, 1939 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, to parents Linnie King and Lillian Eileen ( Rice ) Hedding. His interest in cars and tinkering started early, owning his own car well before he could drive. He loved to explore and try new things from an early age including playing trumpet and being part of a band. Following in his father’s footsteps, Dale graduated from University of Michigan and earned a BS, MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering. He proudly served in the US Army as captain and then joined General Motors where he worked for his entire career. His deep expertise and interest in computational fluid dynamics and modeling enabled him to use computers early after their introduction. His work on the Apollo rocket sparked his interest in space exploration, telescopes and stargazing. Dale married Donna M. Lockhart. They had three children, Deborah, Dawn and David. Dale was an incredible dad, friend and teacher to their children who continued tradition and graduated from Michigan universities with engineering degrees. He was an active and loving grandfather to their three grandchildren, Chris, Michael and Grace. Dale was a devoted, loving husband and best friend to his wife Donna for nearly 58 years. Dale was an active member of the Grand Blanc United Methodist Church for over 46 years serving as usher, Sunday school teacher, and co-leader of junior church. His passion for teaching kids came through with the innovative crafts he made for the kids to learn and be inspired from each Sunday. Dale’s interests and hobbies were vast. He set out to learn and master a new area of study every few years - metal sculpture, stained glass, gardening, coding, carpentry, puzzles, DIY computer projects, financial planning, building steam engines and telescopes, star gazing, photography, coding again and genealogy. He visited air, car, and craft shows his entire life on his own or with family and friends. He had an insatiable appetite to continue learning and experimenting. Friends and family know him as generous, caring, kind, smart and funny. He loved being with kids, helping others and enjoying life to its fullest. He was an extensive reader and enjoyed staying up on the latest technologies. Dale is survived by his loving wife of almost 58 years, Donna Hedding; children: Deborah (Kevin ) Caplan - Roach and Dawn ( Jim ) Hellmich; daughter in law, Kelli Hedding; grandchildren: Chris Hellmich, Michael Hellmich, and Grace Hedding; nieces and nephews: Robin Hanrahan, Bill Lockhart, Barb LaRocca, Edward Hedding, and Vicki Toews; many great and great - great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by both parents; son, David Hedding and brother, Norman Hedding. Donations can be made to FISH, Inc. P.O Box 367, Grand Blanc, MI 48480 or to Grand Blanc United Methodist Church – General Fund 515 Bush Avenue, Grand Blanc, MI 48439.