Dale Courtney Bashaw, loving dad, grandpa, and great grandpa, passed away October 7, 2022, at River’s Bend Nursing Home in Manitowoc. He was 86. Dale was born to the late Ralph and Lucille Bashaw on December 16, 1935, in Manitowoc. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1954, served in the Naval Reserves 1952-1954, and the National Guard from 1954-1961. On June 9, 1956, he married the love of his life, Barbara Johnston. They were blessed with three children: Cheryl, Bob, and Jim. They enjoyed time together as a young growing family until Barbara’s untimely death from MS in 1967.
Years later Dale married the late Marlene Maples and welcomed her three children: Paula, Scott, and Lynn to the family. During these years Dale discovered square dancing and eventually became a square and round dance caller. He loved it and was a natural at calling. With his now family of three girls, three boys, he and his wife, Dale had the right number of people needed to practice his square dance calls – they were his guinea pigs; which was a lot of fun and laughs (most of the time)!
Dale worked at the Invincible from 1954 until his retirement in 1996. For several years after retirement, he enjoyed volunteering and working parttime at the Maritime Museum where he especially enjoyed working on the USS Cobia.
Dale was artistic and could sketch, paint or create just about anything. He was also a skilled craftsman; a definite do-it-yourselfer. He could tear apart, build, rebuild, and complete any renovation or building project skillfully…and he did a lot of them! In addition, he was always willing to help his kids do the same at their houses.
Dale loved people – and he could always make them laugh through a joke or story or two or three… He had a unique laugh that was infectious. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
Dale is survived by five of his children: Cheryl (George) Nechodomu, Robert (Connie) Bashaw, James (Pam) Bashaw, Paula (Rob) Carriveau, and Scott (Jolene Biller) Maples; grandchildren, Tom Nechodomu, Jen (Matt) Thomsen, Victoria Nechodomu, Johanna (Curt Hageman) Nechodomu, Kevin Bashaw, Anna (Brandon Bloemer) Bashaw, Travis (Hillary) Bashaw, Amanda (Cassie) Manes, Ashley (Nick) Gauger, Eric Neumann, Tanya (Bernard) Pickard, Eric (Trista) Carriveau, Tammy Carriveau, Mason Maples, Megan Maples, Heather Schleis, and Katie Ouradnik; 18 great-grandchildren; and many other friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; his mom and dad; his brothers, Roger Bashaw and Don Bashaw; and his daughter, Lynn Ouradnik.
A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022 at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home with Pastor Andy Wendle of First Lutheran Church officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will take place following the service in Knollwood Memorial Park with military honors accorded by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #731. After the burial, a luncheon for family and friends will be held at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center located on the south property of the funeral home. Cremation has taken place at the Harrigan Parkside Crematory and Chapel. Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
