Bremen “Dale” Hancock, 81

Bremen “Dale” Hancock, 81, of Calhoun, KY passed away Wednesday November 19, 2025, at Baptist Health Deaconess in Madisonville. He was born on April 7, 1944, in Richland, KY to the late Herman Ray Hancock and Cornelia Clay Pressley Hancock. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his wife, Elender “June” Gunn Hancock; and his brother, Gary Hancock. Dale graduated from South Hopkins High School in 1962. He went on to serve in the Air Force as an airline mechanic stationed in the Pacific. His favorite story to tell was how he had two Thanksgivings in one day because he crossed international date lines. Later, he retired from the coal mines and was a proud UMWA member and known as “Fuzz” to all his colleagues. After the loss of his wife, June, he moved to McLean County to be closer to his kids and grandkids. He spent his days piddling and tinkering with things around the house saying, “I’ve got a million things to do”, eating at whatever restaurant had the best sweet tea at the time, going to look at any kind of red vehicle he found in The Thrifty Nickel since red was his favorite color, and never missing a trade day at the Greenville Flea Market. Dale loved slowly scouring the isles in search of random items he had never seen before, haggling with the owner to get the best deal, and bringing it home to show off. He’d tell us, “Look it up on that thing”, referring to our phones, “and find out how much it’s worth”. He wouldn’t ever sell it, he just liked knowing what he found. “Grandale” liked to pretend he was grumpy, but his blue eyes were always filled with mischief. He loved to pick at people, play jokes, and always seemed to get the kids and dogs stirred up right before he went home. He always left about dusk because he liked to be able to take the backroads home and watch for wildlife and was most excited when he saw a bald eagle. Dale was a true representation of his generation. He lived life at his own pace, never took the easy way out, and was the most stubborn man who ever lived. Even his passing was in his way and on his own terms, which is how it should be. He is survived by his daughter, Mechel Waldschmidt of Owensboro, KY; his son, Ryan (Scarlet) Hancock of Calhoun; one brother, Ernie (Penny) Hancock of Dawson Springs, KY; and his five grandchildren, Sophia, Alex, Lucy, Cadie, and Sam. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday November 22, 2025, at Barnett-Strother Funeral Home – Madisonville Chapel with Dr. Richard Sams and Tommy Gunn officiating. Burial will follow at New Suthards Cemetery in Earlington, KY. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until the service time Saturday at the funeral home in Madisonville.