Ronald Joseph Dahlke Sr., age 65, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 while dredging the Calumet River in Illinois on the Candace Andrie Crane Barge. He was born December 8, 1937 in Mason City, Iowa to the late Joseph and Clara (Oleniczak) Dahlke. Ron was a paratrooper in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958, in the 82nd Airborne. After he was honorably discharged, he went to work at Manisteel Inc. and as a welder for Frank Winters. Ron married the former Shirley Hill on July 9, 1960 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee, MI. They resided in Manistee until 1970, when he moved his family to South Haven, Michigan to begin his lifelong, fulfilling career in Marine Construction. His career took him to many states, working on numerous waterways, including all of the Great Lakes, the Atlantic Ocean and too many rivers to name. Ron worked as an underwater welder, diver, tugboat captain, foreman and superintendent for Bultema Dock and Dredge, Canonie Offshore and Andrie, Inc, all headquartered in Muskegon. When Ron was not out on the water he enjoyed spending time with his family snowmobiling, riding his ATV in the woods, playing board and card games, and especially the holidays. He looked forward to annual trips with his wife, Shirley, to visit his Uncle Richie in Las Vegas. Ron was an avid fisherman, hunter, and lifelong member of the NRA. He truly loved the outdoors and regularly fed the many wild turkeys, deer and birds that passed through his 30 acre homestead in Twin Lake. Ron is survived by his wife Shirley of Twin Lake; 2 Sons and Daughters-in-law, John and Cindy Dahlke of Nessen City and Ronald Jr. and Lisa Dahlke of Holton; 2 Daughters and Sons-in-law, Noreen and Patrick Colwell of Holton and Jillayne and Robert Peterson of North Muskegon. 4 Grandchildren, Christine and Patrick Jr. of Holton and Lee and Adam of North Muskegon. 1 Sister and Brother-in-law, Marlene and Robert Devlin of Naples, FL and 1 Brother-in-law, Stanley and Ilene Hill of Nessen City. A special Aunt Betty and Uncle Rodney Sorenson of Manistee and numerous other nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and co-workers. Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee with Father William Zwiefka celebrant. Burial will follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery where members of the V.F.W. Walsh Post #4499 of Manistee will conduct graveside military services.
Ronald Joseph Dahlke Sr., age 65, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 while dredging the Calumet River in Illinois on the Candace Andrie Crane Barge. He was born December 8, 1937 in Mason City, Iowa to the late Joseph and Clara (Oleniczak) Dahlke. Ron was a paratrooper in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958, in the 82nd Airborne. After he was honorably discharged, he went to work at Manisteel Inc. and as a welder for Frank Winters. Ron married the former Shirley Hill on July 9, 1960 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee, MI. They resided in Manistee until 1970, when he moved his family to South Haven, Michigan to begin his lifelong, fulfilling career in Marine Construction. His career took him to many states, working on numerous waterways, including all of the Great Lakes, the Atlantic Ocean and too many rivers to name. Ron worked as an underwater welder, diver, tugboat captain, foreman and superintendent for Bultema Dock and Dredge, Canonie Offshore and Andrie, Inc, all headquartered in Muskegon. When Ron was not out on the water he enjoyed spending time with his family snowmobiling, riding his ATV in the woods, playing board and card games, and especially the holidays. He looked forward to annual trips with his wife, Shirley, to visit his Uncle Richie in Las Vegas. Ron was an avid fisherman, hunter, and lifelong member of the NRA. He truly loved the outdoors and regularly fed the many wild turkeys, deer and birds that passed through his 30 acre homestead in Twin Lake. Ron is survived by his wife Shirley of Twin Lake; 2 Sons and Daughters-in-law, John and Cindy Dahlke of Nessen City and Ronald Jr. and Lisa Dahlke of Holton; 2 Daughters and Sons-in-law, Noreen and Patrick Colwell of Holton and Jillayne and Robert Peterson of North Muskegon. 4 Grandchildren, Christine and Patrick Jr. of Holton and Lee and Adam of North Muskegon. 1 Sister and Brother-in-law, Marlene and Robert Devlin of Naples, FL and 1 Brother-in-law, Stanley and Ilene Hill of Nessen City. A special Aunt Betty and Uncle Rodney Sorenson of Manistee and numerous other nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and co-workers. Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee with Father William Zwiefka celebrant. Burial will follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery where members of the V.F.W. Walsh Post #4499 of Manistee will conduct graveside military services.
