Dale Bruce Stevens

Born on June 12, 1937 and died on December 19, 2025

Resided in Bloomfield Hills, MI

Known for his dedication to family and friends, sense of humor, and love of golf, Dale Bruce Stevens passed away peacefully in the caring presence of his loving wife of 68 years, Joan, and children Thomas (Laura) and Julie (Jan) Shimshock. In addition to his wife, son, and daughter, he is survived by six grandchildren, Andrew, Robert (Morgan), and Jenna Stevens, and Thomas, Steven, and Peter (Claire) Shimshock; and two great-grandchildren.

Dale grew up and attended school in Birmingham, MI, graduating from Birmingham High School (now Seaholm) in 1955, the same year he met and fell in love with Joan. They married in 1957 and began their lifelong journey together sharing the adventures of home ownership in Royal Oak, Troy, and Birmingham before moving in 1976 to a "fixer upper" on Pine Lake in West Bloomfield, which they completely transformed and enjoyed for 41 years.

While living on Pine Lake, Dale enjoyed taking his grandchildren tubing and teaching them how to water ski. His sunset cruises proved very popular with family and guests, who were instructed to be on the lookout for the county sheriff's boat should there be interest in the captain's glass of "apple juice."

Dale was an active member of Stonycroft Hills Club and was well known in the community as the co-founder of Ray's Ice Cream in Royal Oak, which he established with his father in 1958 and where he enjoyed interacting with customers, creating new flavors, and mentoring the young employees in what for many was their first job. He sold the business in 2022 after nearly 65 years of bringing smiles to countless faces young and old in the store's iconic 1950s-era soda fountain.

He was also a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Birmingham, where he helped launch the Merry Mates social group, was a past member of the church board, and served as a head usher for 50 years. He particularly looked forward to the annual cross-country skiing weekends at Walloon Lake with his Merry Mates friends and was proud to be the only member of the group who never fell!

Sharing a passion with Joan for travel and golf, Dale's life was built around fulfilling relationships with family and numerous friends. He was known to be compassionate, loving, and kind, and he received much love in return.

A Celebration of Dale's Life will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church of Birmingham, 1589 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, MI 48009.

Memorial tributes may be mailed to the church or submitted online at https://gatheredhereforgood.org/waystogive.