Howard Dale DuMond

Howard Dale DuMond of Ionia, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home on March 10, 2026. Born on June 13, 1937, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he graduated from Greenville High School before serving in the United States Army from 1956 to 1960. As a Specialist Four with the First Battalion, 126th Infantry, he worked as a Wireman, installing, maintaining, and repairing tactical communication lines, and qualified as a Sharpshooter with the M1 rifle. He spent his career in appliance repair, proudly owning and operating DuMond Appliance Repair for many years.

He is survived by his daughters Stacey DuMond of Greenville, Kimberly (Joe) VanZytveld of Greenville, and Tanya (Wes) Shafer of Ionia; stepchildren Jodey (Gladys) Lafler of Clarksville, Jill (Tony) Glinsky of Bellevue, and Buffie (Kevin) Luhring of Sand Lake; grandchildren Tabetha (Wesley) Butterfield, Bryce VanZytveld, Aspen (Devyn) Hubbard, Jesse (Courtney) Shafer, and Wyatt (Molly) Shafer; great-grandchildren Isabel, Lincoln, Bostyn, Carter, and Justin; along with 12 step-grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Louise (Arthur) Harding, nieces Barb Harding and LeeAnn (DuMond) Adams, and nephews Bill Harding and Bob DuMond.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard E. and Emma (Pretzel) DuMond; his wife of 30 years, Nancy (Taylor) (Lafler) DuMond; his brother Robert (Marilyn) DuMond; and his stepson Brett (Rhonda) Lafler.

Howard cherished time outdoors with his daughters, spending summers at the family cabin near Tawas City where he taught them to swim and waterski. A devoted father, he instilled in them a deep love for the outdoors and life skills, patiently teaching them to ride motorcycles and snowmobiles, roller skate, build forts, hunt, fish, and fix things. He had a lifelong habit of tinkering with anything mechanical, even when it wasn’t broken, and was an accomplished ballroom dancer who loved gliding across the floor with his wife. His family will remember him as the giver of countless cherished memories and a life well lived.