Dale Robert Spencley

Staff Sergeant Retired (Disabled) Veteran of United States Army

It is with many solemn hearts that our family would like to mournfully announce the sudden and tragic passing of our dear loved one: Dale Robert Spencley.

Dale was a resident of both Emmett County and Cheboygan County for most of his lifetime. He recently married and moved to Tucson, Arizona where he will remain with his wife.

Dale was 65 years old, a recently and happily married, retired combat infantry veteran. Dale served in many capacities of military leadership; including his one-year tour/deployment to Guantanamo Bay Cuba, during the United States War with Iraq. Dale had 4 years of active-duty service and later re-enlisted through the Michigan Army National Guard in the 125th Infantry Company, Cheboygan, Michigan. Dale honorably retired after 24 years of creditable service. What a remarkable soldier and career he had. He was awarded several medals during his time in the military, along with several merits, service ribbons, marksmen medals, and letters of accommodation. He served our country proudly and his oath of enlistment was a never-ending cause which he put his heart and soul into.

Dale loved the Lord and was an example of what a true child of God represents. Duty(service), honor, and country. He sure loved his family, and he was a hardcore Michigan native. Dale is a son, brother, father, husband, uncle, great-uncle, grandfather, and a true friend of many people. He has many cousins and relatives he will be leaving with wonderful, hilarious, and treasurable memories…. And oh, did he have a whole array of friends! Even strangers became “like" family to him and he met so many all along his journeys through this life.

Dale made it his mission to travel all around the USA, and here in Michigan. Dale also visited several places overseas while on many military missions in other allied countries.

His friends, comrades and family are as numerous as the stars in the sky. Dale touched many lives, and protected many values and traditions for our family, and he had a great understanding of what the constitution of the United States stands for. Loyalty is what comes to mind. To both God and his love of our Country. He treasured his family most of all.

Dale had a special love for flower gardening and a real love for nature and all of the wonders of God's creation. He won many annual awards for his flowering skills in Cheboygan that were sponsored by the Cheboygan Chamber of Commerce Best of Show Yard Beautification awards. His Casablanca Lilies were a prized floral show and favorite.

Dale was able to go on a “bucket list" trip to Alaska and fish in the oceans he had dreamed of. He and his wife Peggy enjoyed a wonderful honeymoon catching the “big" fish! Fishing was something Dale cherished, as well. He shared many days on the Michigan lakes with his father, children, family and friends. So many cherished fishing stories to share. He lived for moral mushroom season in Northern Michigan and spent many years searching for those little brown treasures out in the back of his dad’s 40-acre farm. It was a game for him to be the first to find the “hot spot" before anyone else! A treasure of wonderful times and great memories.

He was an avid golfer and was a part of many local Northern Michigan Golf teams, as well as a few private leagues and competed in many tournaments. He loved hunting and shared many stories about his crazy adventures in the woods and hunting that elusive white-tailed buck of his dreams. He, in fact, had many successful hunts.

Dale is joining our deceased mother (Virginia Lewis), one of his beloved sons (Joshua), and many others who have gone before. A reunion in heaven with all those dear to him. God rest his soul.

No more suffering, no more tears, no more pain. He believed in salvation and He loved the Lord.

Although we are going to miss Dale and grieve the loss of a good man; we all know how hard he fought to stick around with all of his might, throughout his entire life. He made it through many traumatic and tragic things in his lifetime. A true warrior of life and some of life's worst blows.

He was a walking miracle!

Not only is Dale leaving behind our family, his own created families, and all of his friends. He is leaving behind his beautiful wife Peggy (Wilda) Spencley, whom he once dated in high school 40 some years ago and recently got reconnected and then happily married. God sure has a wonderful way of making all things work together for His good and His purposes.

Dale is survived by his father Walter (Melinda) Spencley, his dearest, loving wife Peggy, two sons; Jeremiah, Michael (Megan) Spencley, his grandchildren Bradley and Maddison. 5 siblings: Dana (Claudette) Spencley, John (Sheila) Spencley and his 3 sisters Renee (Schutte), Shelly (Hamlin), and Elizabeth (Derek Nelson) Spencley.

He will be dearly missed and cherished by all who were blessed to experience his true heart.

God bless this fallen soldier.
Dale has gained his wings to soar.

The family wishes are to keep his memorial privately celebrated and cherished with his immediate family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dale Robert Spencley, please visit our floral store.