Dale Albert Christner

Dale Albert Christner of Pigeon, age 92, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at his home at Country Bay Village in Pigeon. Dale was born on December 6, 1933, in Caseville, Michigan, to the late John and Rhea (Haist) Christner and was a 1951 graduate of Pigeon High School. He married Joyce Roestel on October 4, 1958, at Pigeon Methodist Church and the couple would spend over 64 years of loving marriage together until her passing on March 17, 2023.

A lifelong farmer, Dale attended Michigan State Agricultural College and stayed up to date on local, state, and national agricultural programs. He was also involved with the Michigan Pork Producers Association and the Michigan Farm Bureau. Dale was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Pigeon, serving on many church committees, volunteering at countless events, and playing a leading role in the Community Men’s Breakfast. Additionally, he was a long-term member of Gideons International. Family and faith were important to Dale; he fondly remembered a mission trip to El Sembrador Church and School in Honduras and cherished the time spent with his family and friends at his home in Arizona. He was proud of his hard work and accomplishments as a farmer and loved the beautiful family he and Joyce raised together.

Dale is survived by children, Kent (Karen) Christner of Pigeon, Karrie (Gregory) Foy of Pigeon, Debby (Michael) Johnson of South Lyon, and Norman (Melissa) Christner of Cottontown, TN; grandchildren, Scott, Steven, Breanna, Brooklyn, Hannah, Allison, Makiya, Drew, Logan, Brynn, Ashton, and Teagan; great grandchildren, Felicity, Derek, Hudson, Eleanor, and Emerson; sister, Ellamae (Bob) Wichert; brother, Glen (Janet) Christner; and sister-in-law, Rhea Miller; as well as many nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

Dale was preceded in death by beloved wife, Joyce, and infant daughter, Michele.

The family would like to thank the staff at Country Bay Village for their excellent care, meals, and friendship. He had many special friends at Country Bay Village.

The funeral service for Dale will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at First United Methodist Church of Pigeon, 7102 East Michigan Avenue, Pigeon, MI 48755, Reverend David Leineke presiding. Visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18, at Ransford Funeral Home – Pigeon, 7356 Michigan Avenue, Pigeon, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Thursday. Burial will be at Grand Lawn Cemetery in Pigeon. Memorials may be made to Pigeon First United Methodist Church or the Gideons International.