- David Daniel Dabill, 89, Neenah, passed away unexpectedly in the arms of his loving wife and life-long partner, Arline (Schroeder), Sunday, April 2, 2017. He was born on the family farm in the Town of Hutchins, Shawano County, Wisconsin, October 23, 1927, the son of Kenneth and Alice (Stillman) Dabill.
Dave was a quiet man with a jovial heart. He didn't say much, but when he did - it was something to be remembered. He looked at things differently than most, sometimes so simple and yet profound. When asked once why he declined a promotion, he said he'd rather be the guy hiding in the corner than the guy looking for the guy hiding in the corner. He did not like erasers on the ends of pencils because that encouraged making mistakes. He was strict with his children, yet loving and good natured. His large hands thrashed hay and chopped wood, yet could gently rescue a baby bunny or cuddle a newborn grandchild. He recycled and reused before it was 'sustainable'. He puttered at the workbench for hours, fixing anything from carburetors to toasters to tube televisions. Many in the neighborhood just knew him as the bicycle man, as he had an array of tires, pedals and parts. In his younger days, he enjoyed riding his Indian motorcycle, alongside his buddy Dick Kichefski. No two men were more unalike - and yet so trustworthy of the term 'best friends'.
Dave served with the US Army, 23rd Infantry Regiment, Ft. Lewis, Washington as a Heavy Machine Gunner and Fireman, being Honorably Discharged in 1947. After service and jaunts around the western states, he returned to Wisconsin just long enough to make some money before heading south. He walked into the Marathon Corporation Mill in Menasha and spent the next 40+ years working for the company now known as Georgia Pacific.
And, then he met Arline (Ark). A redhead 3-years his senior. When he dated her, it meant bringing along her entire floc of sisters. They dedicated songs over the 'automatic hostess' in Downtown Appleton, and danced to the big bands playing the Cinderella Ballroom. They eloped to Dubuque, IA on July 8, 1950, but Arline was so homesick for her family who was vacationing at Pelican Lake, Dave drove non-stop just so she could be with her family on their Honeymoon; with the back of his new Frazer proclaiming 'Hot Springs Tonight'. They built their first home in Appleton, but their growing family led them to Doty Island in Neenah. The two of them could be seen 'sale-ing' for treasures or strolling East Forest Avenue holding hands. They became a fixture of the neighborhood, spending summer days on the front porch swing under the shade of the Dutch Elm tree that Dave saved from the chopping block. The tree still stands today, a testament to stubbornness and ingenuity.
Dave is survived by his wife, Arline, and children Mary (Dan) Bayer, Menasha; Ronald (Penny Wingin), Neenah; Sandra (Michael Taylor), Menasha; and William, DePere; and son-in-law James Becker, Midway, KY. He is further survived by his sister Lois (Clarence) Schultz, Mattoon; and very special brother-in-law, William (Menji) Schroeder, Jr., Spring Hill, FL; plus seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Dave was preceded in death by his 'special' daughter, Diane Becker, Midway, KY. He is further preceded in death by his sisters Mildred (Chuck) Blodgett and Leah (Louis) Rickert, and little brother James Dabill; plus sisters-in-law Ruth (John) Freiburger, Marie Angell, Muriel (Alvin) Holz, Ila Mae (Dean) Hanson, and little Bobby Schroeder.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:30 pm, followed by a celebration of Dave's life beginning at 3:30 pm, Saturday, April 8, 2017. Full Military Honors will follow. In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established in his name.
Westgor Funeral Home
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1927 - 2017 (89 years)
Military Service
