Dale Pangborn

MUNISING — Dale Pangborn, age 69, of 805 E. Prospect St., died unexpectedly on Saturday, May 3, 2008. His last hours were spent doing the things that he loved to do. Dale gathered his winnings from the casino and was enjoying his ride home on his four-wheeler when he died of natural causes. 


He was born on December 24, 1938, in Munising to Everett and Adeline (Kaufman) Pangborn and was raised in the Methodist Church. Dale graduated from William G. Mather High School in 1956. He served in the U.S. Navy from October 1956 until November 1959. Dale worked briefly in Milwaukee before beginning employment at Kimberly Clark in Munising on October 10, 1960, as a Utility Helper in the Labor Pool. Dale soon transferred to the Specialties Department where he worked as a Spare Hand and then as a Third Hand on the #17 Coater machine. In 1981, Dale transferred to the Powerhouse and worked all three jobs: Assistant Fireman, Turbine Operator and Head Fireman. He retired on June 1, 1996.


Dale had married Sue Spencer in the 1970s. To say that he loved the Green Bay Packers would be a huge understatement. Dale would fly his Packer flag at his home at the bottom of Cemetery Hill proudly when they played well and he would fly it upside down when they lost. It was appropriate that the Packer flag has been flying at half-mast since Sunday. Dale truly enjoyed riding his four-wheeler and spending time in the woods. He enjoyed picking blueberries, finding mushroom, bird hunting, and he was a successful deer hunter in his younger days. Dale enjoyed taking care of his home, yard, his family’s graves at the cemetery, and he always was the right-hand man when there was a project. He enjoyed fishing with his son, spending countless hours with his sister Lola and her children, reading, working crossword puzzles, and singing. Dale truly enjoyed family time. Let’s not forget to mention how much Dale enjoyed the casino. He was a definitely a regular. 


Dale is survived by three children, Debbie (Kevin Ward) Grobar of Glen Burnie, Md., Bruce Pangborn of Escanaba and Carol Brouse of Tekonsha, Mich.; four grandchildren, Jesse Moe, Alicia D’Ambrosia, Justin Shackelford and Derek Brouse; four great-grandchildren; brother, Kenny Pangborn of Milwaukee; sister, Lola Gollinger of Munising; his “other six kids” (the Gollingers), Scott Gollinger, Jackie Parker, Paul (Karen) Gollinger, Patty Ann (Mike) Eiseman, David (Shelby) Gollinger and Lisa Gollinger. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Everett “Spike” Pangborn, Mac Disbrow and Addie Disbrow; wife, Sue Pangborn; brother-in-law, Jack Gollinger; and sister-in-law, Phyllis Gollinger.


A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 9, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Munising with Pastor Gary Stevens officiating. Graveside services will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery on Friday at 12:15 p.m. The Alger County Veterans Council and Honor Guard will conduct military honors followed by committal prayers. 


Dale’s obituary and guestbook may be viewed and signed at  www.bowermanfuneralhome.net