Dale Gordon Kowalkowski

1956 - 2024

Dale Gordon Kowalkowski
Manistee, Michigan
October 30, 1956 - August 1, 2024
Dale Gordon Kowalkowski of Manistee, MI passed away on August 1st, 2024. Born on October 30th, 1956, at Mercy Hospital in Manistee, MI. He was a lifelong member of Divine Mercy Parish, baptized at Guardian Angels Catholic Church. He married his high school sweetheart Barbara (Burke) on August 26th, 1978, at Guardian Angels Catholic Church. Together they had three children Kaleena (Bryan), Jordan (Katie), and Fr. Ceslaus. Through life he became the loving grandfather to twelve grandchildren: Andrew, Dominic, Genevieve, Lucy, Michael, Maria, Joseph, Zachary, Roman, Elizabeth, Liviana and Zelie.
Dale is survived by father-in-law Joseph Burke, brothers Allen (Connie) Kowalkowski, Dennis (Dulce) Kowalkowski, and Jay Kowalkowski. Sister-in-law Denise (James) Lerg, brother-in-law Joe (Deb) Burke, sister-in-law Sara Burke, and brother-in-law Steven Lindeman, and many nieces and nephews.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Anita Kowalkowski, his mother-in-law Virginia (Bill) Lindeman, his grandparents Roman and Florence Kowalkowski and Everett and Lucille Hansen and by his nephew Joseph Kowalkowski.

Dale was a 1974 graduate of Manistee Catholic Central. In 1976, he earned an Associates Degree in Law Enforcement from West Shore Community College. In 1977, he successfully completed his police basic training and joined the Manistee County Sheriff's Department. In 1999, Dale was part of the 197th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. In 2007, he completed the Executive Management Program at Northwestern University Center for Public Safety. Dale served the community for thirty-nine years as a police officer, sixteen of those years he held the position of County Sheriff. Dale was honored to serve Manistee County as a dedicated servant of public safety.

Manistee Catholic Central was a huge part of Dale's life. Coach K began coaching Saber football in 1994 and continued to be part of the coaching staff until 2012. In 2019, he came out of retirement to join the leadership team at MCC. Dale served as the Interim Principal, Athletic Director, and Dean of Students. Dale also served on the MCC Foundation for thirty-four years, fifteen years as Foundation president. Supporting Catholic education was a way for Dale to help communicate God's love.

Dale was a trustee on the Divine Mercy Parish Finance Council for seventeen years, he served on the Diocese of Gaylord Catholic School Advisory Board for two years. Dale was a board member for Choices of Manistee County for twelve years and served the Manistee County Medical Control Board for ten years. Dale was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, Michigan Sheriff Association and Right to Life of Michigan.

Dale had a deep faith exemplified through his participation in the Diocese of Gaylord Cursillo Movement. He also served as a Lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Divine Mercy Parish.

Throughout his life, Dale also enjoyed and was skilled at carpentry and homebuilding. He was an avid political and history reader, and coin collector. He loved all sports and was a die-hard Tigers and Lions fan. Whether it was summer or winter, Dale could be found taking a drive by First Street Beach in Manistee. In addition to his morning prayers at home and at church, the beach was where he could reflect on God's steady hand.

The people who knew Dale found in him integrity, respect, faith, and passion. While he will be sorely missed by his family and those who knew him, he would want them to remain steadfast in faith and love. In his words, ""seek humility.""

Mass of Christian Burial for Dale will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Thursday August 8, 2024, at Guardian Angels Church in Manistee with interment to follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Manistee Catholic Central in Manistee on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, from 4:30 PM until 6:30 PM. The Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 PM followed by a time of prayer and memorial at 6:45 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Manistee Catholic Central Foundation or the Guardian Angels Church Restoration Fund as a memorial in Dale's name. Please visit Dale's page of memories at www.oakgrovefh.com to share a photo, memory, or condolences. Oak Grove Funeral Home in Manistee is honored to assist the family during this difficult time.