Dale Lloyd McCleary

Dale L. McCleary, 79, of Rapid City, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, May 1, 2014, after a two-year struggle with cancer. Dale was born July 23, 1934, to Forrest and Ruby (Barnes) McCleary at his maternal grandparents’ farm in Kewadin.

He married Dorothy Urchek on Oct. 20, 1956, in Detroit. Dale was a master printer and ran the print shops at Jam Handy Organization, then Bill Sandy Co. and finally Consolidated Business Forms, from which he retired in 1996.

Dale loved being “up north.” In retirement he realized his life-long dream to return to his roots, live on Elk Lake and be near his family, especially his cousins. He loved cooking special dinners and could whip up any kind of cocktail from his handy little closet bar.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his loving nieces, Pam (Ken) Snow and Beth (Bob) Sangalli; and their children, Elissa (Adam), Tony and Mary Catherine. He is also survived by an equally loving extended family, affectionately known as “our kids,” Dale (Sandi) Williams, Janice (Mark) LaFata, Patt Tromeur (Steve Randolph) and Carol (Thom) Olson; plus all the kidlets.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Faye Zinter; and his brothers-in-law, Walther Zinter and Joseph Urchek Jr.

Dale especially wanted to thank his family, friends and neighbors for all their care and help given to us during his illness. The following is a poem that sums up how Dale would like to be remembered:

“I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one, I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly of happy times and laughing times and bright sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry with the sun of happy memories that I leave behind when life is done.” — Carol Mirkel

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Covell Funeral Home in Elk Rapids. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2014, at the Kewadin United Methodist Church in Kewadin.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Antrim County Commission on Aging, PO Box 614, Bellaire, MI 49615-0614 or the American Cancer Society.

Please share your fond memories and condolences at www.CovellFuneralHomes.com

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