Dale Roe

Dale Roe

Dale Robert Roe, 72, of Pickford, was a longtime farmer who enjoyed helping people and had established a wide circle of friends in the community. Mr. Roe died peacefully Tuesday, April 24, 2007, in his home on the family farm, in the same room where he was born August 17, 1934, to William Wesley Poole and Isabella Mary (nee Holmes) Roe.

He grew up in Pickford and was graduated from Pickford High School in 1953. He then served in the United States Army. Mr. Roe worked for the Sault Ste. Marie City Police Department for a short time before moving to Lansing, where he worked for General Motors for more than 38 years. During that time, Mr. Roe returned to his farming roots by establishing a large community garden that provided much of the produce for his friends and neighbors. Mr. Roe then bought a farm near Charlotte, where he and his children spent a great deal of time.

Following his retirement, he returned to the family farm in Pickford, where he enjoyed his draft horses, riding horses, cattle, llamas, goats, chickens, ducks, and hunting dogs. Most of all, he enjoyed visiting with people. He could usually be found hauling hay for the deer, friends said, or helping a neighbor rebuild a burned barn, building ramps for someone with a mobility problem, taking in an animal that needed a home, or providing apples for pies for a community dinner. Everyone who stopped by to see the animals or visit Mr. Roe was invited in for tea or hot chocolate; on some days, if the group at the dining room table got big enough, he might have to move the new horse harness off the chair in the corner so everyone could be seated.

He told his family that he was thankful for the life God had given him, and he had no regrets.

Mr. Roe is survived by two daughters and their families, Ruth and Rob Willadson of Charlotte and Debbie Roe of Perry; three sons and their families, Daniel and Angie Roe of Olivet, Mark Roe of Newberry, and Mike and Lisa Roe of Albion; nine grandchildren and their families, Krystine and Josh Barrett, Hether Roe, Brandi Willadson, Jeremy Willadson, William Roe, Autumn Roe, Emily Roe, Lauren Willadson, and Samantha Roe; and one great-granddaughter, Vivian Barrett. He is also survived by three brothers and their families, Keith and Connie Roe of Marshall, Earl and Dorothy Roe of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Harry and Arvilla Roe of Fort Myers, Florida; one brother-in-law and his family, Willis and Mary Galer of Pickford, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his former wife, Gloria Jean Roe, a grandson, Joshua Roe, his sister, Olive Galer, and a sisterin law, Ema Lou Roe.

Visitation was Friday, April 27, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 28, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Reamer Galer Funeral Home in Pickford. Services were Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home with the Reverend Paul Gruenberg officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery in Pickford.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mackinac Straits Hospital, Cancer Care Center, 220 Burdette Street, St. Ignace, Michigan 49781.