Coach Dale Hummel, 74, of Rochester, was surrounded by his loving family when he passed away peacefully at 4:05 AM on July 1, 2023, at his son’s home.
On July 20, 1948, Dale M. Hummel was born in Mishawaka. He was a treasured son of Jack E. and Sally L. Shephard Hummel.
Growing up he shared his childhood with a brother, Danny. In 1966 Dale graduated from Penn High School. He continued on to pursue his life dream of becoming a coach and teacher at Ball State University. Dale graduated in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in secondary education. Continuing on, he earned his master's degree from Indiana University- Purdue University in Indianapolis.
In Osceola, Dale and Susan A. Liggett were married on September 2, 1967. They have shared 56 years of life’s adventures. From their union came three handsome sons, Derek, Damon and Dustin. The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mr. Hummel was an educator and loved to coach and teach his students the finer points of sports and life. He embarked on his career in Middlebury at Northridge High School. While there he started the Raider’s wrestling program. Coach moved to Shelbyville and continued as the wrestling coach of the Golden Bears at Shelbyville High School and added football to their sports team lineup.
From 1975 through 1989, Coach Hummel started both the football and tennis programs for the Culver Cavaliers. He was also served the Cavs as their head wrestling coach and the baseball coach.
The Hummel family made Fulton County their home in 1989. Continuing to teach and coach Rochester High School, he was RHS head wrestling coach. Coach Hummel kept the stats for the Zebra High School football team and was the high school throwing coach, helping his teams with the finer points of discus and shot put.
While in the Culver community, for nearly 15 years, Dale was a Marshall County Sheriff’s Deputy, worked as an emergency medical technician and also assisted with the water patrol on Lake Maxinkuckee. In about 2000, being very tech savvy, Dale established and opened That Computer Place and continued to assist the Rochester community for 23 years with their technical needs for computers, software and hardware.
With the gift of creativity, Dale enjoyed making stained glass art. At home in his woodshop, he created custom pieces for his family and special friends. Mr. Hummel also made commemorative trophies for his graduating seniors. To relax Dale enjoyed reading science fiction.
Left to cherish Dale's memory are his wife, Susan; three sons, Derek Hummel and wife Rhonda all of Rochester, Damon Hummel and wife Angela of Granger, Dustin Hummel and wife Abby of Rochester; six grandchildren, Keith and wife Kaleigh, Brittany, Addison, Jackson, Alexandria, Dawson; three great-grandchildren, Gannon, Winslow, Iris, brother, Danny Hummel and wife Terri of Elkhart, and many friends, students and colleagues he met on life's journey..
A celebration of the life of Coach Dale M. Hummel will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 8, 2023 in the Good Family Funeral, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester. Rev. Larry J. Pyeatt will officiate.
Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 - 1:00 on Saturday in the funeral home.
Interment will follow in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.
Online expressions of sympathy may be made to his family at www.goodfamilyfh.com .
