Age: 78
Sonny Dalton, 78, of Kalamazoo, passed away Saturday, December 10, 2011 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo. Sonny was born October 30, 1933 in Allegan, MI and grew up in Kalamazoo, the son of late Merrill Dalton Sr. and Esther Dalton. He married Roxana (Uthe) Dalton June 21, 1957, and they have been married for 54 years. Sonny also served in the United States Army from 1953-1955 and retired from General Motors in 1985. Sonny was driven by the excitement of a life that allowed him to create every day. Since 1969 Sonny (a self taught) welder has been making people smile with his creative, ingenious and whimsical sculpture's. Sonny began his artwork with sheer imagination. A horn here, a bearing there, perhaps an antique egg beater, a gauge, add a few odds and ends in just the right places and another sculpture was born. Sonny's sense of humor and the everyday life in the world around him, show's in each piece he created and in every heart he touched. He is survived by his wife Roxana Dalton and their children, Julie, Amy, and Jenny; also by their seven grandchildren, Timmy, Casey, Zachary, Nickol, DJ, Hannah, and Chloe. Family will receive friends Wednesday evening 5-7 p.m. at the Adams Funeral Home, Paw Paw. A graveside service will be held Thursday, December 15, 2011, 1 p.m. at Riverside Cemetery, Kalamazoo. Memorial contribution may be made to the American Lung Association.