Dale Stanley Mellendorf

DALE STANLEY MELLENDORF,
85, of Cass City died following a brief battle with cancer Wednesday, March 18, 2020 peacefully at his home. He was born January 12, 1935 in Elkton to Stanley and Erma (Hartwick) Mellendorf. His first wife was Nancy Lee Sowden. Dale married Charlotte Florence Furness April 10, 1971. She died June 9, 2003. Years later, Dale married Elizabeth A. “Betsy” Thorpe-Sowden July 31, 2010.

Dale graduated from Owendale High School in 1953 and went to work for Ideal Plumbing and Cass City Fuel Gas. Later, he became a journeyman tinsmith and worked second shift for the Ford Motor Company in Detroit. For over thirty years, he made the eighty mile drive to work and back until retiring. In retirement, Dale kept busy helping friends and neighbors with their plumbing, heating and building duct work. He would do anything for anyone at any time. Dale was a former member of Fraser Presbyterian Church of Cass City. On Tuesdays, he could be found bowling at the Brentwood Lanes of Caro. Dale also enjoyed the excitement of NASCAR racing on television. He loved trying his luck with the slot machines at the Soaring Eagle Casino and the anticipation of a winning scratch off ticket.

Dale is survived by his wife, Betsy; children: Tom (Cindy) Mellendorf of Gagetown, Dan (Beth) Mellendorf of Cass City, Lona (Robert) Piaskowski of Cass City, Charlene (Ken) LaBeau of Chesterfield, Minnie (Rick) Avery of Vassar, Ray (Maureen) Sowden of Vassar; grandchildren: Chad Mellendorf, Shane Mellendorf, Cole Mellendorf, Dalton Mellendorf, Jeff (Jennifer) Piaskowski, Jacob Piaskowski, Travis LaBeau, Christopher LaBeau, Dena (Josh Smith) Kabat, Alaina (Jeremy) Poulos, Taylor Brown, Kennedy Brown, Kendra (Mike) Dunlap, Jill (Brent) Rathka, Stephanie Leach; twenty great grandchildren; brothers: Wayne Mellendorf of Cass City, Bruce (Bev) Mellendorf of Fairgrove, Clare (Ruth Ann) Mellendorf of Cass City, Joe (Sue) Mellendorf of Caro, Art (Romelle) Mellendorf of Kansas City, MO; Gary (Linda) Mellendorf of Cass City, Glen Mellendorf of Cass City; sister, Ruth (John) Jaworski of Owendale; many nieces and nephews; and his cat, Ned. He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters: June (Don) Ackerman, Janet (Dan) Hartz; sister-in-law, Helen Mellendorf.

Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 23, 2020 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City with Brad Speirs of Novesta Church of Christ, Cass City officiating. Interment is in Elkland Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Rawson Memorial Library or Fraser Presbyterian Church. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and photos with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.

**Due to an executive order by the state government the visitation and funeral service is limited to no more than 50 people**

Visitation: 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 22, 2020 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City
10 to 11 a.m. Monday, March 23, 2020 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City

Arrangements by Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz (989) 872-2195