Dale Person

Dale Glenn Person, age 58, of Brodhead, WI passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2016 at UW Hospital in Madison, WI. He was born on June 2, 1958 in Pittsburgh, PA, the son of the late "Kitty" nee Mathews and Glenn Person. He married Debra Leis Vandergriff on August 17, 1985 in Rockton, IL at the Church by the Side of The Road.
Dale graduated from Brookfield High School, Brookfield, OH, in 1976. He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1976-1980, specializing in calibration and repair of test equipment. Employed by Martin Automatic, Inc., Rockford, IL, from September, 1987 to May, 2016, as a senior controls engineer. Dale was proud and passionate of his work and always went the extra mile to complete his projects and satisfy the customer. He was never a quitter, despite any odds against him.
Dale loved nature, camping and fishing in the Boundary Waters and the yearly "Fall Colors" camping trip to Wild Cat Mountain with some of his best friends. Dale especially loved his trip of a lifetime backpacking in Alaska, at Denali National Park in 1997.
Baseball was Dale's favorite sport and he was a diehard Pittsburgh Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins fan for his entire life, Roberto Clemente was his hero.
Dale enjoyed cooking, especially for others, and was a favorite activity for Dale and his wife and they often hosted Holiday/Birthday Dinners for family and friends. You would often hear him joke, "get outta my kitchen!".....but he meant it! He also loved wood working with his hands and made a crib for his first granddaughter, Liberty.
A selfless, loyal, and honorable man, Dale often put family and friends first. He touched many lives with his friendship and sense of humor, and will be sorely missed. Remember him always with smiles and laughter. May he rest in peace until we meet again . . . Semper Fi.
He is survived by his wife, Debby of 31 years; his daughter, Dalaura (Brian) Bentley; sisters, Linda (Ken) Zwicke and Judy (Ron) Baney; three grandchildren: Liberty, Breyah, and Marcus and a nephew; Keith (Kim) Brody and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Glenn; mother, Kitty; nephew, Kevin Brody; several aunts and uncles.
A Celebration of Dale's Life will be held in the spring of 2017.
Memorials can be directed to the family.
Online condolences may be made at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison, WI 53705
(608)238-3434