Dale Foster, 83

Born: Nov. 25, 1928

Died: May 29, 2012

Dale R. Foster, 83, of M-140 in Niles, died at 10:55 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph following a brief illness.

He was born Nov. 25, 1928, in Niles to Fred and Alma Foster. He graduated from Niles High School, and lived on the family farm all of his life. He was retired from full-time farming and driving semi-trucks.

Dale was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Berrien Springs. He also served his community and agriculture as a member of the state and national Angus Association and American Farm Bureau Federation; a member of the county and state Dairy Herd Improvement Association; and a member of the boards of the Kalamazoo Milk Producers, the American Farm Bureau Young People and the Michigan Farm Bureau.  He was a past president of the Michigan Junior Farm Bureau and the Snowdrifters Club, a vice president of the Fairland School Board, and had received an honorary degree from the Michigan Future Farmers of America. He was a member of the Berrien County Youth Fair Association.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture’s Environmental Stewardship Division had recognized Dale’s efforts with awards in Farmland and Open Space Preservation and Environmental Assurance.

On Feb. 16, 1957, at Trinity Lutheran Church, he married the former Lois L. Schmidt with whom he celebrated the 55th anniversary of their wedding.

Dale is survived by his wife, Lois Foster, and by their children, Bruce (Suellen) Foster, Scott (Elaine) Foster, and D-nece (Steve) Coleman, all having homes on the farm; grandchildren, Andrew Foster, Danielle Foster, Sean Heil, Scott Heil, Nicole Heil and Corissa Johnson; great-grandchildren Bly, Azley, and Gianna; and Dale’s sisters and brother, Barbra Kolm of Berrien Springs and Frances Quirk and John Foster, both of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Harry Foster.

The funeral service for Dale Foster will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 2, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Berrien Springs on Old U.S.31 at George Avenue, with Pastor Mel Meyer of the church officiating. Committal will follow at Union Cemetery in Berrien Center, Michigan.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 until 8 p.m. Friday at the church.  Contributions in memory of Dale may be made to the Dale Foster Agricultural Youth Scholarship Fund, c/o P.O. Box 1171, Niles, MI 49120. Arrangements were made at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.