Thomas Dale Nester

Thomas Dale Nester, 93, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, at Schnepp Senior Care and Rehab Center, St. Louis, Michigan. He was born July 26, 1931, in Flint, Michigan. He was the oldest son of Thomas I. Nester and Verna Fent. He graduated from Detroit Southeastern H.S. and proudly served his country from 1950-1954 in the U.S Air Force. He met his wife, Sally A. Burk, at Great Lakes Training Base in Chicago, Illinois. They were married on September 20, 1951, in Wausau Wisconsin. They were stationed in Tampa, Florida, at MacDill Air Force Base where he continued his training as a Dental Lab Technician. Following his honorable discharge, they moved to Michigan where he started his own dental lab with his brother, Don. He eventually became the sole owner of Morang Dental Lab. He finished his dental career working for Redwood Dental Group in Warren, MI, where Tom and Sally raised their family. In 1997, they retired to live at Canadian Lakes. In 2016, they moved to Ithaca to live next to their son, Dale, and his wife, Marion.

Tom enjoyed golfing, shooting pool, bowling, and playing cards with family and friends. He really loved playing Cribbage. He and Sally loved to travel including trips to England, Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, several of the 50 States, and wintered many years in Harlingen, Texas. Tom was a member of a church no matter where he resided, finishing as an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca. He loved all sports, especially baseball and the Detroit Tigers. He had an excellent memory and often told the story of skipping school to see the World Series in 1945, between the Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals. Tom loved being with family and following all their pursuits. He championed the causes of the disadvantaged and was rooted for the underdog. In retirement, he went on dental mission trips to Honduras to make immediate partial dental plates for people who could not afford them. Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Sally (12/2022), and his brothers Don, David and Dennis and their spouses. He is survived by their three children: Dr. Dale Nester/Marion (Ithaca), Jill Barrett (Cumming, Georgia), and Ron Nester/Jill (Berkley, Ml), their six grandchildren (and spouses) and nine great grandchildren, all to carry on their legacy of love, responsible living, having fun and a living a life filled with laughter.

His "Celebration of Life" service is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca. 218 East Newark St. Ithaca, MI 48847. Gathering begins at 11:30 AM, service at 12:30 PM, with a lunch to follow. His remains will be interred at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI. Funeral arrangements are with Barden Funeral Home. Memorials can be made to the Ithaca Community Food Pantry, the Memorial Fund of the Ithaca Presbyterian Church, Heartland Hospice, or Veteran Affairs.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home of Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.    

Comments

[David Bowen]

Dale and family, just letting you know how sorry we feel for your loss.
David and Bonnie Bowen

[Sherah MacLaren]

So sorry for your loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.

[NOLA]

Prayers for Nester family. I will treasure my memories of Tom and Sally

[Marci Browne]

I enjoyed our short conversations every Monday as I dropped him off meals from meals on wheels. He always greeted me with a pleasant smile and a Kind word or two. Mr. Nester will truly be missed.