Dale L. LaBelle

Dale Lawrence LaBelle, 67, left this world peacefully on June 6, 2024, in Springfield, Oregon. 

Born in Ypsilanti MI, Dale grew up in the metro Detroit area before moving to Gaylord as a teenager. There he met his future wife, Marina. 

Dale worked for the City of Gaylord, starting when he was 18, as a public works employee and retiring as Superintendent of the Wastewater Treatment Plant after 36 years of service. 

In true Michigan tradition, Dale enjoyed hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. In retirement, he developed interests in gardening, winemaking, building custom guitars and composing original songs. He also enjoyed reading, movies, bird watching adventures with his daughter, and playing music with his son. Dale’s passion was playing in numerous local bands, where he made lifelong friends. 

He was the most loyal friend you could ask for, stubbornly loyal. He was dependable, kindhearted and such a genuine person. He was committed to any person, job, or project he was invested in. Dale greatly influenced many lives through his example of integrity, respect, dignity, honesty and caring. 

His Grandma McQuaid instilled in Dale the importance of family ties. Through her, family bonds were created and strengthened in him. 

Dale and Marina also had a wonderful church family at Mount Hope in Gaylord and Cove Church in Eugene Oregon. They eventually settled in Eugene to be near their children and grandchildren. 

He is survived by his wife of 49 years; his daughter, Jennie; son, Luke; daughter-in-law, Katie; grandchildren, Emma, and Owen, all of whom reside in Eugene. He is also survived by his father, Robert (Ester) McQuaid; siblings, Donna Watters, Laura Ballard, Cherie Cullum, Karen Doe, Elizabeth (Scott) Holtzman, Judith McQuaid, Robert (Gloria) McQuaid Jr, Johnny McQuaid; siblings-in-law, Edmund Cherwinski, Julie (Mike) DeWitt, and Laura (Richard) Berry; and local loving nieces and nephews, Nate, Elisha, Michael, Mark, Grace, Eric, and Rebecca. 

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Marie (Bob) Montgomery; stepfather, Lawrence LaBelle; maternal grandmother, Mildred McQuaid; and maternal grandmother Marie Corbin.

A celebration of life gathering will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at noon at the VFW Post #1518 Pavilion, 1905 S. Otsego Avenue, Gaylord, Michigan. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Christian Worship Hour at www.cwh.org, Lewy Body Dementia at www.LBDA.org, or Pigeonriverdiscoverycenter.org/donate.

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