Dale Lee Curran, age 86, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

Dale was born on May 14, 1938, to Otto Diebold and Thalia Curran Diebold in South Haven, MI. Dale was raised by his grandparents Frank and Katherine Curran. Out of great love and respect for his grandparents, Dale changed his name from Diebold to Curran in August of 1960.

If you spent much time with Dale, you would likely have heard his recount of how very blessed his life was. Dale starts by saying, there IS a God and he knows it, because he was blessed from before birth. His mother had been told she could not have children because she had rheumatic fever as a child and her heart was not strong enough to give birth. She wanted a child, so she did not tell her husband. She gave birth to Dale, was able to hold him and passed that evening. Six months later, Dale's father brought him to his grandfather, Frank, Thalia's father. Otto asked Frank if he wanted to raise Dale, there was no question, of course he did. Dale was very sick with a fever and the doctor did not believe he would live through the night. Dale's grandfather went out back, killed a skunk and rubbed skunk oil on him. Dale's fever broke and he lived a very long and healthy life.

Dale grew up in South Haven, Michigan where he attended school through high school graduation. He has told many stories about the shenanigans he and his buddies pulled growing up. He recounted them with such fondness. After he retired, he reached out to many of them to rekindle those relationships. You might have caught a glimpse of Dale and Andy Heavin riding their scooters around town! Dale attended Western Michigan University and later joined the Air National Guard. After retirement, he attended Lake Michigan College for computer science.

Dale married Catherine I Richardson and they had two daughters whom he adored. He taught them the importance of a positive attitude and the ability to do anything they put their mind to. He taught them many sports, building and repairing and much more. After Dale and Catherine divorced, he raised his two teenage daughters.

In 1982 he began dating Frances Dailey and she has been the love of his life for the last 42 years.

Dale loved the outdoors! He loved to garden, golf, shoot archery, bowl and fish. He has made many friends throughout his life and made clear how important each were to him and how much their friendships meant to him. He talked often of the kindness his golf and bowling buddies have shown him as he aged, especially in the last few years as he dealt with fatigue and illness. Dale's church family meant the world to him, he considered them dear friends.

Dale is survived by his life partner of 42 years, Frances Dailey, daughters Janice Curran (Karen Schuitema) and Cheryl Curran, grandson Jacob Curran (Kaila Hodge), and three great grandchildren Ava, Rylan and Noah Curran. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, his stepbrother Robert Souter, his son Gregory Curran, grandson Aaron Curran, and ex-wife Catherine Richardson.

Dale was a God fearing, kind, positive and loving person. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Beeches Golf Club in South Haven on October 5 from 12:00pm – 4pm. 12:00-1:00 light appetizers and visitation, 1:00-2:00 service, 2:00-4:00 heavy appetizers and celebration of Dale's life.