Dale Michael Schaefer, 52, of Evans, died on March 24, 2007 at the Hospice & Palliative Care of Northern Colorado Inpatient Unit in Greeley. He lost his long hard battle with a very deadly illness. He was born on October 18, 1954 to Ronald and Sheila Schaefer at the Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. The first years of his life were spent traveling around the world either living in or visiting many countries including Japan, the Philippines, Hawaii, Germany and England. While living in a small Japanese village he would play with his friends even though they could not speak each other's language. Upon his fathers retirement from the USAF he made his home in Greeley. He attended Greeley West High School and at the age of 18 he moved to Pomona, California to live with his older brother and family. This is where he learned to weld, and also where he met his future wife Debbie Sedgwick. They were married on February 12, 1977 in Barstow, California. The welding skills he learned in Pomona would stay with him during his lifetime. Dale and Debbie later moved back to Greeley where their son Jon was born. When his health began to fail, he was forced to leave his job with Platte River Steele. Survivors include his wife, Debbie Schaefer of Evans; his son, Jon Schaefer of Evans; his mother, Sheila M. Schaefer of Greeley; his brother, Lee Schaefer and wife Kathleen and family of Naugatuck, Conn.; his sister, Kerry Schaefer Anderson and family of Greeley; 2 aunts, Eileen Geisick and family of Greeley and Marlene Sterling and family of Ault; many great nieces and nephews; a brother in law, Don Sedgwick of West Covina, California and his beloved companion, his dog Kelsey. He is preceded in death by his father, Ronald Schaefer; his grandparents, Bill & Ethel Reay and Leo and "Mugs" Schaefer; his Aunt Lavon; an uncle, Wally Geisick and a grand niece, Mary Ann Sprinkle. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2007 at the Moser Funeral Service Chapel, 3501 S. 11th Avenue in Evans where his laughter and sense of humor will be sadly missed by all. Immediately following the celebration of Dale's life, all of his "Buddies" are invited to attend a reception at the funeral home where cookies and coffee will be served. Dale's wishes were to be cremated and his ashes will be scattered in the Bahamas at a later date. Condolences and donations maybe be sent in Dale's name to Mrs. Debbie Schaefer and his son Jon at 1219 33rd Street, Evans, Colorado 80620 or to Sheila Schaefer and family at 2916 W. 12th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80634 or in care of the funeral home at 3501 S. 11th Avenue, Evans, Colorado 80620.