Dale A. Gee

 Dale A. Gee, 97, of East Jordan, passed away Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at Grandvue Medical Care Facility in East Jordan.

  He was born on March 3, 1923, in East Jordan, the son of Earl Eugene and Emma Mae (Hayes) Gee. Dale was the epitome of what was known as the greatest generation, one who fought through the Great Depression (losing his dad at 14) where he became the patriarch of his family and was until his passing. Dale embodied what it meant to be a true American Hero and enlisted during World War II in the US Army Air Corps in November 1942. His greatest memory of the war was when he met the love of his life, Maxine E. Butz, at a Legion Hall dance in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, while he was stationed nearby. Once Dale returned to East Jordan, he wrote back to Maxine and asked her to marry him. Maxine accepted.  Maxine and a girl friend then traveled to East Jordan where Dale and she were married on May 22, 1946, at the United Methodist Church in East Jordan.  They raised a family of three children during their stays at different military bases around the world including, England, Washington, Alaska, Maryland, Japan  and California.

  Dale served in the United States Air Force during World War II, the Berlín Airlift, Korean Conflict and Vietnam Conflict in communications.  Dale enjoyed going on daily walks, bowling, gardening, splitting wood, horses, playing cards including euchre, cribbage, pinochle and lately Mexican Poker. Dale had a wonderful sense of humor and duty to his family.  In his youth he played all types of sports including, baseball, basketball and football. Dale was a devoted fan of Michigan football, the Detroit Tigers, Pistons, Lions and Red Wings! If there was a game on TV, he had it on his TV! He was someone that was always there for you and always remembered every anniversary and birthday of his relatives.  Dale was the proverbial “gentleman”.  He was loved deeply by his numerous nephews and nieces in Canada and the United States. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren. His five grandsons looked up to him as a model of what it means to be a great father, husband, provider, gentlemen and proud American.

  He is survived by three loving children, Barbara Ann (Lucian) Pluciennik of Valley Center, California, Robert Vale (Lori) Gee of East Lansing and Janice Rae (Paul) Legacy  of New Brunswick, Canada; his nephew Bill (Lennie) Gee of East Jordan, his nephew Larry Dale (Kathy) Tucker of Strathmore, Canada, five grandchildren, Todd (Jessica) Pluciennik of Winchester, California, Dale (Ruth) Pluciennik of Valley Center, California, James (Carly) Gee of Grand Ledge, Sean (Brooke) Gee of Petoskey and Alex Gee of Ellsworth; seven great-grandchildren, Victoria Pluciennik, Sage Gee, Ashlyn Gee, Melvin Pluciennik, Dwight Dale Pluciennik, Grayson Gee, Logan Gee and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine E. Gee on December 22, 2009; one great-grandson, Lennox Dale Gee; and three brothers, Russell Bruce Gee, Melvin Henry Gee and Willard Clayton Gee.

  Due to COVID-19, a military graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 5:00 P.M. at Sunset Hill Cemetery, East Jordan. 

  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Make a Wish-Michigan, Grand Rapids Office, 648 Monroe Ave NW, Ste 104, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. The family was served by the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc., East Jordan.

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