Dale Bielby

Dale Irving Bielby, of Zeeland, MI, died on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at Holland Hospital. He was 84. He was born on August 5, 1933 in Lucas, MI. He graduated from Saginaw Arthur Hill High School in 1951 and from Bay City Junior College with a degree in Liberal Arts. In 1956 he married the love of his life Pat, and together they had four children, Steve, Mark, Scott and Curt. They had been married for 61 years. As a committed Christian, Dale loved his family well. He attended Central Wesleyan Church and was a former member of Rose Park Reformed Church, where he served as elder, deacon and choir member. For most of his career he worked as Facility Maintenance Supervisor at Chris-Craft Boats for 22 years and then at the Herman Miller Chair Plant for 17 years. Dale proudly served our country during the Korean Conflict as a corporal in the Army from 1953 to 1955. His special love for cars motivated him to restore a 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk into a national prize-winning show car, and own a 1964 Studebaker Champ pickup truck. Those who loved him, knew him as the quintessential gentleman with a fantastically quirky sense humor.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents James and Evelyn Bielby, sister Esther Wolters, and oldest grandson Travis Bielby.

Dale is survived by his wife Patricia; sons, Steve and Gina Bielby, Mark Bielby, Scott Bielby, and Curt and Laura Bielby; 6 grandchildren, Kelsey Bielby, Max Bielby and fiancé Abbey Zwagerman, Shea and Seth Ray, Cody Bielby, Mason Bielby, and Carson Bielby; 1 great grandson, Bennett Bielby; sisters, Shirley and Dean Effken, Lois Knoper, and Fran Westenbroek.

Funeral and military services will be 1:30 pm Wednesday (November 22) in the Chapel at Central Wesleyan Church, 446 West 40th Street. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 4-7 pm Tuesday (November 21) at the Dykstra Funeral Home-Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Avenue.

Memorial contributions may be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America or Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan.