William and Joan Dalman

Throughout their long and fruitful lives, Bill and Joan Dalman had a zest for life that was contagious to all who were within their reach. It was as though they were cut from the same cloth in many ways as they shared similar interests like traveling and hosting parties, and they were both outgoing, bubbly, and fun-loving, too. Alongside one another for 60 years, Bill and Joan treasured being with their family and the memories they leave behind will be forever cherished by their family and friends.

Ernest and Elsie Dalman were delighted with the birth of their baby boy on September 11, 1930, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their son, William, was the younger of two children in his family. He and his sister Corrine were raised in nearby Allegan.

It was just a few months earlier that a couple from Phoenix, Arizona, Elmer and Percis Osmun, welcomed a healthy baby girl into their hearts and home on January 12th of that same year. Joan was the older of two children born to her parents joined in her family by her brother David. As an Army brat she moved all over during her earliest years, but by the time she was in high school her family settled in Allegan, Michigan, which set the stage for a beautiful love story.

As students at Allegan High School, Bill and Joan were smitten with each other almost from the very first time they met. They began dating and became high school sweethearts. Both Bill and Joan graduated in 1948. Bill attended and graduated from Albion College while Joan attended Western Michigan University. Distance separated the couple for a time as Bill joined the Army and served during the Korean Conflict while Joan continued at WMU to earn her degree in Interior Design. She also worked at The Upjohn Company while attending college.

Never far from his mind was Bill’s true love, Joan, back home. With a desire to establish a life together the couple became husband and wife on February 16, 1952, at the First Congregational Church in Allegan. Initially the couple moved to Germany where Bill was stationed, but once his military duties were fulfilled they returned to Allegan. Together they were blessed with the births of two girls, Debra in 1954 and Denise in 1961.

Throughout their lives both Bill and Joan possessed a strong work ethic. In the mid-fifties Bill took over the family business after the sudden death of his father. Under Bill’s leadership, Imperial Carving in Allegan flourished and grew. Bill was extremely proud that the company had its own hydro plant that provided most of the power for the plant. Bill kept the company until 2006 when he decided to close the plant due to declining business. The business had been in the family for 96 years.

In 1968 Bill and Joan built their dream home at Lake Doster. Their home was quite ahead of the times back then and they took a lot of pride in it. In addition to caring for her family and home, Joan took her love for antiquing and made a career opportunity out of it as she had an antique business called The Rain Barrel in Plainwell in the early seventies.

Joan and Bill had several interests throughout their lives - some of which were individual interests and some of which were shared. Bill particularly loved golfing and boating while Joan had a passion for

antiquing and interior design, although Bill did love hunting for treasures also. Each of them had several collections.

Joan enjoyed gardening and spending time with her neighbors, but she hated cooking. For this reason she mastered the art of making reservations! Bill was involved in organizations outside of the home for many years including the Shriners, Masons, and Elks, and he was a member of the Rotary Club. Bill and Joan loved to travel and together they went to Europe and all throughout the United States. They also spent their winters in Florida for several years. They finally gave up on Florida when hurricane Andrew took their winter home in Homestead in 1992.

They were lifelong members of the First Congregational Church in Allegan as it was the church where they were wed. Bill’s company made the crosses that are on top of the church roof.

Both were outgoing and social, and they loved hosting parties at their home and spending time with their friends. Bill and Joan liked dancing together and both enjoyed big band music.

Life became more difficult for both Bill and Joan when she suffered a brain aneurysm in 1995. She was in and out of nursing homes for a couple of years. Out of deep love and devotion to his wife, he ultimately served as her caregiver when she came back home. She lived many good years before her death just this past Christmas Eve. Her girls believe she is now their Christmas angel. It was three weeks later that Bill passed away, one day after what would have been Joan’s 83rd birthday. Denise has said that he couldn’t stand the thought of her celebrating alone.

Partners, companions, and friends, Bill and Joan inspired those around them as their marriage exemplified what a relationship between husband and wife is truly intended to be. Bill was generous with those he knew, yet he also had high expectations for his family, while Joan was patient and selfless when it came to her loved ones. With lives and spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, they created a beautiful mosaic of memories that will be a lasting treasure for years to come. They will be deeply missed and warmly remembered by many.

The family of Bill & Joan Dalman have planned a memorial service to celebrate their life. Visit with their family and friends and view their life story film during the service on Tuesday, May 21 at 11:00 a.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell; 120 Woodhams St. (685-5881). Their family includes their children: Denise Dalman of Portage and Debra (Patrick) Saavedra of Santiago, Chile. Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a favorite memory or photo.