Dale J. Confer Obituary
Dale John Confer, 59, of Munger, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, of complications from pancreatitis. Dale was born July 19, 1966, in Bay City, Michigan to the late Joan and Charles Confer. Dale was a 1984 graduate of T. L. Handy High School. Dale enlisted in the United States Air Force and worked in Civil Engineering as an electrical powerline specialist. He was stationed at Bitburg AB, Germany, Holloman AFB, NM, Kunsan AB, South Korea, McGuire AFB, NJ, and was deployed several times overseas during his career. He retired from the Air Force in 2004 as a Master Sergeant. After returning to Michigan, he worked as a journeyman lineman out of Local 876 for Newkirk Electric Associates of Muskegon. He was most recently employed with ALBAT as a Training Coordinator, a job he dearly loved.
On his off time, Dale could be found cheering at his daughter Kristen's. Special Olympics events and always made it a point to attend every marching band performance, concert, basketball and soccer games, tennis matches and track events he possibly could for his girls. If he was nowhere to be found, he was usually outside chatting it up with one of the neighbors. Dale was an avid barbeque fan and spent many weekends cooking with his son-in-law which sometimes included an impromptu bonfire party. He and his family also spent countless weekends riding their side by sides on the trails throughout the state, unless Michigan football was on. While Dale was gone on many deployments, remote assignments, storms, hurricanes and ice storms, he always returned to his favorite place, home, planning another adventure for his family. His Michiganders posts on Facebook detailing his adventures (and some misadventures) were loved by all.
Dale is survived by his wife, Kelly, daughters Kristen Confer of Munger and Katie (Jason) Bender of Saginaw Township, granddaughter Adelyn Mae Bender, his sister Karen (Kevin) Snyder of Crump, his in-laws, Norman and Eileen Jonas of Canadian Lakes and sister-in-law Lisa (Craig) Simmons of Auburn. He is also survived by his stepsister Linda (David) Conger, stepbrothers Carl (Grace) Heim and Kenneth Heim and sister-in-law Carol (Geoff) Gehringer. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends, Air Force brothers and coworkers. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his stepmother, Patricia Confer, stepbrother David Heim, and brother-in-law Christopher Jonas.
Visitation will be at Rivertown Funeral Chapel in Kawkawlin, Michigan on Thursday, May 21, 2026 from 2:00pm to 7:00pm, followed by a service. Burial and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
The family would like to express their sincere thank you to the VA, MMR, Medstar and Merritt Township Rescue for their assistance and Dale's team of SICU doctors, nurses and staff at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan for their compassionate care for Dale and support for his family. The family would also like to thank Dale's employer ALBAT for their kind and generous support and the countless friends, coworkers, family and neighbors who reached out, offered prayers, support and assistance during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Area 9. Special Olympics or to family wishes.
Time to come home, dear brother, your tour of duty through. You've given as much as anyone could be expected to do. So take your place of honor, among those who have gone before, and know you will be remembered, for now and evermore.Fear no storm, live safe, live lineman strong.
