Dale Loker, 88

Dale Robert Loker, age 88, of rural Mendon, died Friday, June 20, 2014 at his home following a long illness. He was born May 8, 1926 the first of five children to Perry and Marian (Vance) Loker in East Lansing, MI. Dale enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he was a drill instructor and teletype operator.

He was married to Beatrice Stephenson on May 24, 1945.

Dale was a truck driver and in 1984 received the NATA Driver of the Year award for 32 years of safe driving while logging in over three million miles. He loved farming, carpentry, hunting, and fishing. He attended the Factoryville Bible Church and was a member of the American Legion Post #170.

Dale is survived by his wife, Beatrice; son Douglas (Kathy) Loker of Three Rivers; daughter Patricia (John) Jones of Twin Lake; grandchildren, Chris (Lisa) Loker, Matt (Tera) Loker, Melissa (Jimmy) Laden, Jennifer Jones , Andrew (Stephanie) Jones; eleven great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; brothers, Bruce (Dolly) Loker of Fulton and Max (Elaine) Loker of Schoolcraft; sisters, Margaret (Francis) West and Vera Bowyer; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm Monday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon.

Funeral services will be 11 am Tuesday June 24, 2014 at the Factoryville Bible Church, 1291 Factoryville Rd., Athens, MI 49011 with Pastor Fred Goebert officiating. Burial will be in Poe Cemetery in Cass County with military rites by the Hice Shutes American Legion Post #170. Memorials may be directed to either the Factoryville Bible Church, Three Rivers Health Hospice, or to a charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be left for the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com