Dale Dea Leonard

Dale Dea Leonard, 88, of Hartford passed away from his life on earth to eternity in heaven on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Dale was born on Dec. 3, 1935, in Lawton, Mich., the son of Richard and Margaret (Blanchard) Leonard.

Dale graduated from Lawton High School in 1955, Lake Michigan College in 1966 and the Kentucky Mortuary Science School in 1967. On Feb. 12, 1956, he was united in marriage with Yvonne Goodrich. He worked as a police officer and was a member of the F.O.P. Van Buren County Lodge 136, a member of the F&AM Masonic Lodge of Paw Paw-Lawton #0025, over a 50-year member of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association, a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and formerly owned the Calvin and Leonard Funeral Homes.

Dale is survived by eight grandchildren: Shawn (Casey) Patterson, Crystal (Chris) Cowgill, Janell (Jeremy) Parker, Abby Leonard, Tony (Melina) Leonard, Jerrod Birmele, Billy Leonard, and Jenna (Ryan) Runge. He is also survived by twelve great-grandchildren; a sister, Bonnie (Gene) Penny; and a special friend, Kay Swisher.

In addition to his parents, Dale was preceded in passing by his wife, Yvonne, on March 23, 2005; two daughters: Penny Patterson and Cindy Birmele; a son, Richard Leonard; and a brother, Ronnie Leonard.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27, at the Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford. The service to honor his memory will be at 11 a.m, on Thursday, Dec. 28, at the funeral home with Pastor Lonnie Truelove officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hartford. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to either the Al-Van Humane Society in South Haven or the Hartford Fire Department. Those wishing to leave condolences for the family may do so at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.