| Graduation Year | Class of 1949 |
| Date of Birth | Jun 08, 1931 |
| Date of Passing | May 28, 2016 |
| About | Dale E. Boss, Charlevoix's "Mr. Petunia," peacefully went to meet his Lord and Savior on May 28, 2016, surrounded by his family. Dale was born June 8, 1931, in Charlevoix. He was the eldest son of John E. Boss and Iola (Chew) Boss. Dale was a fourth generation lifelong resident of Charlevoix and graduated from Charlevoix High School in 1949. In his yearbook he was voted, "boy most likely to succeed." Dale's life reflected the importance of family, faith, hard work, and community involvement. Dale began working at the age of 12 as a door-to-door milkman for Maxbauer Dairy in Charlevoix. At the age of 14 he met his childhood sweetheart, Marilyn Ikens. Dale knew that she was "the one." He married Marilyn on June 23, 1951, after Marilyn graduated from high school. They convinced their parents that they were old enough to get married by building their first home together at North Point in Charlevoix. The couple won the Mechanix Illustrated "Golden Hammer Award" for the construction of their house. The home was built in its entirety by Dale and Marilyn and was pictured in the pages of the national magazine. Dale tore down an old barn and recycled the lumber to build the house. Dale and Marilyn began raising their family in this first home, until the seven children outgrew the space. The couple worked on the construction of their current home on the same block at North Point, and moved the family into "The Chalet" in 1964. Throughout his life, Dale loved construction. He enjoyed building things with his own hands and observing other building projects. Dale worked as a full-time milkman and also owned and operated the Boss Insurance Agency. In later years, Dale bought the Maxbauer Dairy and opened a new business, The Village Milkhouse, which was known for its huge home-made ice cream sundaes. Dale was always interested in civic affairs and the continuing improvement of Charlevoix. At the age of 21, he began several years of service as trustee on the Charlevoix Township Board. During the same year he became the youngest juror to serve on a murder trial in Charlevoix. In 1956, at the age of 24, Dale convened the first meeting to establish the Mount McSauba ski area. He also served on the original board of directors. All of his children and thousands of Charlevoix children through the years learned to ski at Mount McSauba. The Boss family has managed the ski hill for the past 40 years. Dale ran the concession stand for 20 years. On a daily basis, he gave food to hungry children who didn't have money to make a purchase. In recent years, Dale would keep the fire going in the fireplace of the lodge. Dale served several years as deacon of the Community Reformed Church. He was chairman of the building committee when the current church was built in 1961. Dale had a "gift for gab" and negotiated with 18 different property owners to purchase the 32 lots on which the church currently stands. In the early '60s, Dale developed the concept of a "Sunday School" bus. He talked to many families in Charlevoix to see if they were interested in sending their children to Sunday School. For many years, Dale drove the bus, picking up children throughout the city and countryside, and dropping them home after Sunday School. Dale served as treasurer of the Charlevoix School Board from 1962-1970. He was instrumental in building the Charlevoix Elementary School, negotiating the sale of property from the owners where the school was built. He was also proud of his role in the purchase of the first and second luxury "Rayder" buses. Dale also drove a school bus for several years. He was also instrumental in the building of the former town library, which now is home to The Charlevoix Circle of Arts. Dale was an active member of the Charlevoix Historical Society. In 1978, Dale negotiated the gift of the Harsha House from Anne Harsha to the community. He was personally involved in most of the restoration and expansion of the Harsha House, which became the new home of the Charlevoix Historical Society. |
