June 6, 1942 – Feb.y 9, 2025
Mr. Dale E. Gordon, 82, of Rochester, passed away on Feb. 9, 2025, at Beacon Memorial Hospital, South Bend, shortly after arrival. This followed a sudden illness.
On June 6, 1942, Dale Eugene Gordon was born near Rochester. He grew up near Talma and attended Talma High School where played center on the Tiger basketball team.
At Rochester's First Baptist Church Dale married the love of his life, Kay Mikesell. Together they shared over 63 years of life's adventures. From their union came two wonderful children Denise Kay and Jeffery Dale. The family tree continued to grow with the additions of two more generations.
With a strong work ethic, Dale was a lifelong farmer. His passion for agriculture was evident as he annually farmed over 700 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat. Dale oversaw a fine herd of 100 head of Holsteins and many crossbred swine. During the early years Dale worked at Sonoco Products for nearly a decade. He later worked at Camcar-Textron for nearly 20 years as maintenance director.
A man of great faith, in the early years, Dale served as Deacon for the First Baptist Church, Mentone, and he taught the adult Mizpah Sunday School class for nearly 40 years. In recent years Dale and Kay were members of Riverview Church. He could be seen strolling out to the barn attired in his signature bib overalls with a red hankey stuck in his hip pocket. Grandson Zack assisted Dale with the restoration of several John Deere's including his favorite JD 3010.
Left to cherish Dale's memory are his loving wife Kay at home, Denise K. Shafer (Jon) Tippecanoe, Jeffery D. Gordon (Nancy), of Rochester; five grandchildren, Joshua Shafer (Carolyn), Lucas Shafer (Sydney), Brittany Marocco (Kyle), Emily Burk (Jeff), Zachary Dale Gordon (Hannah); seven great-grandchildren Hayden Marocco, Avery Marocco, Kynsley Burk, Rhett Burk, Oakley Gordon, Oraya Gordon and Nahum Shafer.
A celebration of the life of Dale E. Gordon will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester. A time to visit with his family will be on Thursday, Feb. 13, from 5-7 p.m. and an hour prior to his service on Friday. Pastor Stephen Wilhelm will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the Riverview Community Church, 3780 State Road 110, Tippecanoe, IN 46570. Online expressions of sympathy may be made to Dale's family at www.goodfamilyfh.com.
