John Dale Gunden

John Dale Gunden, 92, of Pigeon passed away Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at McLaren Bay Region in Bay City, Michigan after a short illness with his family by his side. He was born in Bay Port on March 26, 1933, to the late John H. and Rachel (Albrecht) Gunden, and was a 1950 graduate of Pigeon High School. He married Ethel Hoffman on February 25, 1955, with the couple celebrating their 70th anniversary last February. She survives him. John Dale occupied his younger years farming with his brother Olin before opening the Dutch Kettle restaurant and Pigeon Lanes which he ran with Ethel until his retirement in 2008. In his free time, John Dale loved making the rounds through Bay Port and Pigeon, drinking coffee and telling stories with his many friends, and enjoyed helping out with auction sales at Albrecht Auctions. He played softball in his younger years and could often be found on the golf course, as well as watching Detroit sports teams like the Tigers, Red Wings, and Lions. John Dale kept a garden full of fruits and veggies that he shared with his friends and family. He was a faithful man who read his bible every day and was a devoted and lifelong member of Michigan Avenue Mennonite Church. John Dale is remembered as being a joker who loved to have a good time and who was always seen with a smile on his face. He was one of a kind and a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

John Dale is survived by his beloved wife, Ethel; children, Kim Herford, Todd Gunden, and Troy (Shelly) Gunden; grandchildren, Brandon (Sherry), Tara (Jason), Justin (Sara), Jordon, Heather (Chris), and Evan (Sara); great grandchildren Kara (Caleb), Trisha (Jared), Isabella, Blake, Rhett, Jack, and Emerie; great great grandchildren, Harper, Dawson, and Brynn; and sister, Lala King; and well as many nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

John Dale was preceded in death by son-in-law, Jim Herford and siblings, Iva Swartzendruber, Glen Gunden, Clara Stalter, Delmar Gunden, Olin Gunden, and Mike Sape.

A funeral service for John Dale will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Michigan Avenue Mennonite Church, 7004 Michigan Ave, Pigeon, MI., with Rev. Scot Wilson presiding. Visitation will take place from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 23, at Ransford Funeral Home – Pigeon, 7356 West Michigan Ave, Pigeon, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church. Committal is to follow at Michigan Avenue Mennonite Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Michigan Avenue Mennonite Church or R U Red E? Ministries.