Dale Norman DeWeese, age 61, and Joyce Carol DeWeese, age 59, of Zeeland, Michigan, entered together into the presence of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, September 19, 2020.Dale and Joyce were Owosso High School sweethearts who recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on September 6. Together, they raised their children, doted on their granddaughters, cared for their parents, and generously blessed everyone they could. As members of Jamestown Baptist Church, Dale and Joyce served in a number of ways, including Missions Committee and Children’s Ministry. Their hearts delighted to praise God in song. Dale enjoyed his 22 years working as an Engineer at Steelcase. While he had many hobbies over the years, his passion was aviation. He loved flying with Joyce and giving friends and family rides in his airplane. Dale played the trumpet and guitar beautifully and blessed many with his exquisite hand-crafted pens. Despite his patient and meticulous nature, he was competitive, quick-witted, and loved a good laugh. Joyce was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who prioritized family. She had a passion for memorizing scripture and was a faithful prayer warrior. She loved to play games, and her hands were always busy making things, from knitting and sewing, to creating her memorable bags and purses, which she eagerly gave to family and friends. With her warm and engaging personality, she never knew a stranger. Over all of their passions and pursuits reigned their saving faith in Jesus Christ, who “died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised on the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). His grace in their lives shone brightly in their love, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and boundless generosity to those around them. They will be sorely missed. They were preceded in death by Dale’s parents, Norm and Jackie DeWeese, and Joyce’s mother Sharon Stanfield. They are survived by their children, David Dale DeWeese, Leann and Peter Ambler; their treasured granddaughters, Elise, Juliet, Adele, and Maria Ambler; Joyce’s father, Charles “Chuck” Stanfield; Dale’s siblings, Bob and Julie DeWeese, Diane and Eric Erskin; Joyce’s siblings, Becky and Mack McKindley, Dan and Triss Stanfield, Carolyn and Van Rue; many loving nieces, nephews, and other extended family members. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 25, 2020, at 12 noon at Jamestown Baptist Church, 2472 Quincy St., Hudsonville, with their son-in-law, Pastor Peter Ambler and Pastor Shawn DeJong officiating. The burial and committal service will take place Saturday at 1 pm for friends and family at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Owosso, Michigan. Relatives and friends may meet the family Friday from 10 a.m. - 12 noon prior to the service at the church.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” Psalm 116:15
Leave Your Tribute Message
November 22, 2020 3:03am
Sadly, I just found out about Mr & Mrs DeWeese's accident and passing. I've been friends with their son, Dave, for a couple years now. I had the pleasure of meeting Dale & Joyce once or twice, briefly. Dave always spoke of his parents' passion towards the Lord, and his desire to be like his father. The DeWeeses were welcoming, friendly, and happy to talk to someone they previously only knew by name. It was a pleasure to have met them! I know the scars to Dave and Elise and family, are still fresh, but I hope it is comforting knowing they went to the Lord together and are watching over every single one of you!
My sincerest condolences and prayers for healing!
Karen
- Karen St. Hilaire
September 26, 2020 11:02am
We got to know Dale and Joyce when we attending Jamestown Baptist Church. Dale and Andy quickly developed a friendship as they were both pilots. We shared several dinners and found them to be great people. Joyce loved her crafts, and Leslie has her hot pad that Joyce taught her how to make from rolled up wool. She was also into making beautiful leather purses and socks from old sweaters. Joyce even came to our house one day to collect walnuts that she loved to roast and eat. She was so full of energy always wanting to do and learn about new things. Dale and Andy had a great love for flying. and rode in each other's planes. They spent hours talking about flying. We are thankful for the friendship shared with Dale and Joyce, and were blessed to have them as our brother and sister in Christ. We are praying for all the DeWeese family daily.
- Andy and Leslie Hoover
September 25, 2020 4:28am
Aviation is a small, tight family. When any of our team goes down it cuts a wide swath within this special group. Dale and Joyce have such a kind spirit that just adds to the specialty of this passion. They will be so missed in the pattern. May their memory at EAA and West Michigan pilots be forever on our minds. Prayers to the family, sons and daughters and grandchildren. God does not make mistakes.
- Herb Harney (Passion for Flight Group)
September 24, 2020 3:58pm
I write this message with a very heavy heart. I had the pleasure of knowing the Stanfield family in my youth. We first met at our church in Owosso MI and Joyce was in our youth group, FMY. Chuck and Sharon Stanfield were the first people I ever called my boss. I worked for them at the appliance store south of town in high school. They both treated me really good and Chuck taught me a lot of handyman tricks early on. I remember the whole family as a very loving and deeply religious family. I got to know Joyce pretty well in high school and she was a gem. I knew Becky and Danny both a young kids but all good memories. I also graduated with Dale and knew him pretty well in high school. We seemed to play a lot of sports together. He was also a nice friendly guy, always smiling and seemed happy. I really regret loosing touch with them. Words cannot express the sorrow the family is going through but I hope they know they are all fondly remembered and Joyce and Dale touched a lot of lives in a really good way. Praying for the families involved.
- Mike Robinson
September 24, 2020 11:47am
Now your flight is smooth and the clouds alr all below. put in a good word with our Lord for the rest of us earthbound.
- Robert Vink (EAA 211)
September 24, 2020 10:01am
We became close with Joyce and Dale while they were in Strasbourg, France. They visited us many times, also with friends and family of theirs from the U S. We kept in touch via Skype after they went back to the US. They were really wonderful people, devoted Christians, always encouraging and praying for others. Joyce was always so joyful! She was such a talanted crafter! She knitted a sweater for my little girl. It is such a precious gift! It was a shock to learn about their accident . We'll miss them! We pray for their children, grandchildren and family! Till we meet again in Heaven, dear Joyce and Dale!
- Violeta Schneider
September 24, 2020 5:55am
Dale and Joyce were neighbors, past clients and friends of mine. We met in Lake Bella Vista, when Leann was a dear babysitter to my daughters. I felt fortunate to know them and kept in touch via Facebook and Instagram - sharing love of Michigan State with Dale and conversing with Joyce about her cute purses and she always had nice comments on my needle arts. They will be missed. Much love and sympathy to their family.
- Laura Featherston
September 24, 2020 12:32am
My husband and I met Dale and Joyce while they were living here in France. They were a couple who were very in sync with one another--we could tell they had a solid partnership and that so many years of marriage had kept them close!
A particular memory: Joyce loved to cook American dishes for potlucks that reminded me of home in the Midwest. She was a very welcoming person and a truly talented crafter, and it was a pleasure to visit with her.
With our sincere condolences to their family.
- Maria and Ian Clevy
September 23, 2020 7:21pm
Thinking of the family during this time and sending love.
Michelle V.
- Michelle V
September 23, 2020 7:17pm
They were wonderful loving people. We didn’t have the pleasure of knowing them long but feel blessed to have been a very small part of their lives.
Dale and I were flying friends. We met at Oshkosh and became close when he discovered that I was building a plane very similar to his.
He was always there to provide advise and assistance.
I am sure he is watching over his flying friends now.
RIP Dale and Joyce. We love you!
- Bill Wilson
September 23, 2020 5:11pm
I knew Dale from Steelcase. Even though I didn't talk to him often as we worked in different fields, every conversation was a joy. He was a genuinely nice person whose presence will be missed. My sincerest sympathies to his family.
- Becky Shuler
September 23, 2020 4:37pm
Our heartfelt sorrow and love for Dale and Joyce’s children, spouses and grandchildren.
May God bless and comfort you today and always.
Bob and Patricia Lepior
- Patricia Bob Lepior
September 23, 2020 3:32pm
Diane,Bob and the entire Deweese family,
We were stunned to hear of Dale and Joyce's untimely passing. I've known Dale for decades as a class mate, a neighbor and friend Please accept our sincerest condolences. We hope you all find peace.
Mike and Janet Bates.
- Mike Bates & family
September 22, 2020 12:47pm
I am one of the pastor's at Jamestown Baptist Church and just a few months ago Dale and Joyce came into a JBC staff meeting and had hand crafted a pen for each of the office staff and we enjoyed them telling the story behind each pen and why he made that particular custom pen for each person. I love mine
and use it everyday. Mine was red and gray for the Ohio State Buckeyes because he knew I would like it and he obviously made a little joke about making it and giving it to me because he loves His Spartans so much. Now this pen is even more memorable to me because of what Dale and Joyce meant to me and to our church. I'm praying for the family during this tragic loss.
- Ted Jones
September 22, 2020 8:20am
I worked with Dale at Steelcase and considered him a very good friend.
- Ralph Hammond
September 22, 2020 6:12am
I worked with Dale at Steelcase. He was a gem to work with and had a great sense of humor. When ever MSU beat U of M he would bring his trumpet to work and play the MSU fight song. Rest In Peace Dale it was a pleasure to have known and worked with you.
- Mike Rubick
September 22, 2020 5:49am
Dale, was a classmate of mine at Owosso HS. Where we played football together. He was a smart and funny guy with the biggest Smile.
We just got reacquainted on Facebook about five years ago. Where we shared a few stories about family , especially grandkids and his love of flying
I’ll Miss you old friend . Until we meet again , May you and Joyce Rest In Peace with each other in Gods loving arms . 🙏🏻🙏🏻 Praying for Comfort for their families during these trying days. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸
- Harold “Hal” Hauber
September 22, 2020 5:40am
I really enjoyed working with Dale on multiple Steelcase Projects beginning in 2012. The highlight was working with him in Europe. Dale and Joyce were really great people and I enjoyed many dinners with them. So sad that this happened. They were such wonderful people. I will miss them..
- Michael McQueeney
September 22, 2020 4:02am
Dale & Joyce will be sorely missed in our congregation. Joyce was a valuable Children’s church teacher. Both were so very artistically gifted people. Joyce invited me over to look at the purses she hand crafts from leftover leather- beautiful works of art. That was my first time of getting to know her. She always stopped by my seat to say hello. So glad i will be able to see them again one day
- Bonnie Burgess
September 21, 2020 10:15pm
I have known the DeWeese family since our days at Central Elementary school. Dale was two years older and I was in the same class as his sister Diane and Joyce, Owosso Hugh Class of 1979.
I am truly sorry to hear of their passing. Keeping each and every family member in my thoughts and prayers.
- Tammy Rappuhn VanHorn
September 21, 2020 5:24pm
Dale was always a good person first.
In school he was a friend who showed he cared.
I taught Joyce how to drive a stick shift in her parents parking lot. She was a goid friend.
Good times are remembered of both. I wish the four of us could have gotten together but life got in the way. I am sorry for that.
We mourn with you and our harts are there even though we will not be coming because of the Corronavirus.
With Love,
Mark & Kathy Honeck
- Mark Honeck
September 21, 2020 4:30pm
Dale graduated with me in 1977 from Owosso HighSchool. Dale was a great guy and was well liked by many. He came to our 40th class reunion. I’m still in shock as is his family. Prayers to his son, daughter and beautiful grand daughters and other family members.
- Linda CaseLeCureux
