Dale Lake died March 29, 2013, at the age of 86. He was the youngest son of the late John and Rose (Aeschliman) Lake. Dale was a life-long native of Traverse City. He attended Central High School on Eighth Street. Dale joined the Navy in 1943 and served aboard the LST in the South Pacific with the Amphibranous. He earned two Gold stars, one for the Philippines and one for Iwo Jima. He was on the beach when the flag was raised on top of Mount Sarobatic (Red Beach).
Dale married Effie Dolores James in 1949, who preceded him in death.
He is survived by two children; James Dale (Mary) Lake of Traverse City, Nancy Lake of Brookfield, WI; three grandchildren; Megan McCarren, Julia Carpenter, Matthew Lake; five great-grandchildren; Caitlyn Carpenter and Ryan James Lake of Traverse City, Hailey and Benjamin McCarren of Kingsley, and Connor James Lake of Chicago, IL; sister Virginia Baynton of Buckley; many, many nieces and nephews.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers; William, Charles, Frederick, John, Edward, Carl, four sisters; Ida Umlor, Alice Brooke, Rosemary Kluth, and Lucille Nichols.
Dale had a full life where he enjoyed his family, gardening, traveling, and seeing his grandchildren. He was employed with the Governmental Center in Traverse City for 25 years and retired from Grand Traverse County.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 1, 2013 at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City. Pastor Jim Nihiser will officiate. Military honors conducted under the auspices of Cherryland VFW Post #2780.
Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, March 31, 2013 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Monday, April 1, 2013 at 10:00 until time of the service.
Memorial donations may be made to Munson Dialysis Center, 4062 W. Royal Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684. Please feel free to share your memories with the family through www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com < http://www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com >.
The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.