Dale Rye Reich

1931 - 2018

Dale Rye Reich, age 87, of Cedarville, Michigan, died October 4, 2018, in Cedarville. He was born March 15, 1931, in Pickford, Michigan, to Arthur and Hilda (Rye) Reich.
After graduating from Pickford High School, Dale attended LSSU for two years. He married Leola Hillock on June 10, 1953, at the Pickford Methodist Church. He was then stationed in Germany with the US Army. His wife and daughter joined him in Germany.
Dale and Leola had seven children which required him to work full-time plus evenings and Saturdays. His first job after college was at the Union Carbide in Sault Ste. Marie. He then worked for Kimberly Clark. He ended his working career with General Telephone.
While working these day jobs, Dale did carpentry work in the evenings and on weekends with his friend, Merlin Galer. Dale also worked at the auction barn in Pickford.
Even with his busy work schedule, Dale still made time to serve on the Pickford School Board for many years because he placed a high value on quality education.
For the past 40 years, Dale enjoyed living on the lake in Cedarville. He and Leola also enjoyed traveling with their 5th wheel camper to visit most of the states, including a summer in Alaska. After retirement they spent winters in Texas. While there, they were active in a ministry that provided help to the needy in Mexico. They made weekly trips across the border to distribute food and other basic necessities directly to families. Their favorite trip of the year was to deliver Christmas gifts to children.
Dale was an avid deer hunter all of his life. He had a hunting camp west of Pickford that he and his family enjoyed.
Dale is survived by his children: Jan (John) Scholke of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Randy (Diane) Reich of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Marty (Tena) Reich of San Jose, California, Greg (Lynn) Reich of Plymouth, Wisconsin, Carla McKerchie of Appleton, Wisconsin, and Landa (Bob) Miller of Hessel, Michigan; seventeen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters-in-law: Viola Shultis of Shokan, New York, Eleanor (Glenn) Crisp of Mackinaw City, Michigan, and Chalta Hillock of Springfield, Ohio; daughter-in-law, Lori Secor of Hessel; and former son-in-law, Bob McKerchie of Appleton, Wisconsin.
Dale was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Leola; his parents, Arthur and Hilda Reich; son, Carl Reich; sister, Donajean, and her husband, Clyde Cross; and brother-in-law, Lamar Hillock.
Services will be held Monday, October 8, 2018, at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford, Michigan. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with the funeral service to begin at 12 p.m. Burial will be in the Cottle Cemetery in Marquette Township, Pickford. Burial will be in Cottle Cemetery in Marquette Township, Pickford, Michigan.
Memorials may be made to Cedarville Senior Dinners, c/o Chippewa, Luce, Mackinac, Community Action Agency (CLMCAA), 524 Ashmun St., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com.