Dale Martin

Dale A. Martin, 61, of Grand Island passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at CHI St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island surrounded by family. Per Dale’s wishes he was cremated and there will be no service. Apfel Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be directed to www.apfelfuneralhome.com.



Dale was born on July 3, 1960, in Spirit Lake, IA to Theron & Shirley (Kohler) Martin. He attended Laurens-Marathon graduating in 1978. At age 17, Dale enlisted in the US Air Force. Dale served 20 years, making rank of Staff Sargent retiring in 1998. Following basic training he was stationed in Germany, Nellis AFB (Nevada) and Ellsworth AFB (So. Dakota). For 16 of the 20 years, he served as an Air Traffic Controller.



On July 12, 1986, Dale was united in marriage to Tina Marie Maron in Rapid City, SD. To this union two children were born, Jennifer and Stephen.



After his US Air Force retirement, Dale explored a few different occupations and completed his bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics. In 2004 he relocated to Grand Island, NE. Dale was an Air Traffic Controller at the Central NE Regional Airport for 10 years. At the time of his passing Dale was employed as a clerk at the USPS Grand Island Distribution Center.



Dale loved to read, watch movies, build and launch model rockets, and dabbled in many other hobbies throughout the years.



He is survived by his wife, Tina of Grand Island, NE; daughter, Jennifer Martin of Trumbull, NE; son, Stephen of Grand Island, NE; mother, Shirley of Laurens, IA; brothers: Wayne Martin of Plano, TX, Bruce Martin of Las Vegas, NV, and Dennis Martin of Mampayag, Bukidnon Philippines; and sisters: Kathy Schmidt of Winona, MN, and Kris Martin of Omaha, NE.



He was preceded in death by his father, Theron.