Dale Cherney passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, October 22, 2022. He was
surely greeted by his lifelong friend with their usual “Morning Doc” “Morning Stock” ritual
wearing their white t-shirts and an open chair to talk shop with his barber friend.
Dale was born on March 28, 1945 and grew up on Waldo Boulevard in Manitowoc, the son of
Earl and Lucille Cherney. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1963 and UW-Madison in
1968 with a degree in electrical engineering. He married the love of his life, Nancy Goehring, on
April 29, 1972, and they began 50 years together raising their three daughters in Howards
Grove. They enjoyed going to the golf course for a Friday fish fry, and on Saturday nights, they
were always home in time to watch Columbo, enjoying a brandy and sweet.
Dale’s work with Hayssen Manufacturing in Sheboygan took him all over the world, but he was
never too far from, or ever missed an opportunity to spend time at, the cottage in Door County.
If he wasn’t riding on the Kubota tractor, he was probably going for a doughnut run at 5 am in
his boat, going for tacos at the Little Brown Jug or taking the grandkids to the “candy store” on
the Ranger, or driving the backroads of Door County in his Corvette. Whether at home, the
cottage, or church, he loved cutting lawn on his John Deere tractors, eventually being replaced
with his zero-turns. In winter, he enjoyed clearing as many driveways of snow as he possibly
could.
After “retirement”, he spent his time programming and building popcorn machines for Valley
Popcorn (and popping popcorn for the family to enjoy). When he wasn’t thinking about the
next machine, he enjoyed woodworking or relaxing with a crossword or Sudoku puzzle. You
never had to guess the type of project he was working on as the stain on his shirt would give it
away.
Dale is survived, lovingly remembered, and greatly missed by his wife, Nancy; his daughters,
Barb (Ron) Clarke, Brenda (Tim) O’Brien, and Beth (Rich) Abbott; his grandchildren, Ian and
Jordyn Clarke, Avery O’Brien, and Benjamin and Maya Abbott; other relatives and friends. He
was preceded in death by his parents, brother, uncles, aunts, and in-laws.
A Memorial Service for Dale will take place at Our Shepherd United Church of Christ, 710 Ethan
Allen Dr. in Howards Grove on Saturday, October 29 at 11:00 AM. Family will greet visitors on
Saturday, at church, from 9:00 AM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, please consider
making a donation to Our Shepherd United Church of Christ (Building Fund).
Dale’s family thanks friends Don, Mark, Gary, Ron, Rich and Todd for their support during this
difficult time. They would also like to thank the nursing staff at Pine Haven (Giddings Ave.) and
Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for their care and compassion during his last months.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.zimmerfuneralhome.com
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