Dale G. Warner

Dale Gregory Warner, 89, Stevens Point, died Friday, Aug. 4, 2017.
He was born Sept. 1, 1927, to the late Lester and Martha (Meyers) Warner, in Stevens Point. He lived with his parents, two sisters, and one brother on the south side of town, near the McDill Pond and several wooded areas.
He attended McKinley grade school and P.J Jacobs High School, until enlisting in the U.S. Navy April 13, 1945, during his senior year to serve in active duty during World War II. His service stations included the Naval Station Great Lakes, the U.S.S. Jason, Communications Services Division 101 and the U.S.S. Blackhawk.
During his time of service, he received an Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon, WWII Victory Ribbon, American Area Ribbon and a Philippian Liberation Ribbon. He was honorably discharged July 29, 1946.
Mr. Warner met Jane Schoettel through a good friend. They were married Aug. 5, 1950, at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Stevens Point. They settled in their home on Elk Street where they lived for 65 years.
The couple enjoyed going to dance halls in the area, including the Indian Crossing Casino in Waupaca.
Having been trained in the Navy as a pressman, he began working for the Journal Printing Co., where he continued this trade for nearly 50 years. At the Journal, He enjoyed having a “work family” that shared a bond of camaraderie like no other, playing softball and having family picnics.
He was a member of St. Stephen’s Parish, and he was a long-time member of the American Legion.
Family was important, and he and the family went camping trips throughout the Upper Midwest. He would load up the station wagon (he always drove a station wagon!) with family, other relatives and friends to head off to the fabulous and cherished State Parks, enjoying swimming, campfires, trail walking, and seeing all the natural sights. In those same station wagons, Dale loved to take his kids and their friends nearly anywhere they wanted to go, thus earning the name “Wagon.”
He enjoyed visiting family in California and visiting Yosemite, the Coastal Redwoods and San Francisco, as well as boating and fishing with family. He also enjoyed going to car races with his late son, Tom, and he and his wife enjoyed and attending their grandchildren’s sporting activities.
He also had the opportunity to participate in the Never Forgotten Honor Flight in September 2014 with his daughter Chris.
Mr. Warner is survived by three children, Linda Hawkins, Timothy (Catherine Collings) and Chris (Gary) Litrenta; seven grandchildren, Collin (Carmen) Hawkins, Chelsea Hawkins, Amasa Warner, Talie Warner, Lindsey (Jeremy) Lewitzke, Jillian (Kevin) Fawcett and Drew Litrenta; twin great-grandchildren, Giovanna and Arlo Hawkins; and nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 66 years, Jane; one son, Thomas; one son-in-law, Walter Hawkins; and four siblings, Henry, Grace Manske, Joyce Kowalski, and Gilbert.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church. Visitation will precede the Mass from 10 a.m. until the service at the church. Interment will be at St. Stephen’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date.
Online condolences may be made to www.bostonfuneralhome.net. In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be made to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight at: neverforgottenhonorflight.org.