Dale A. Smith

Dale A. Smith, 92 passed away peacefully at home on September 26, 2022.

He was born October 23, 1929 in Lykens Twp., Ohio to the late Arden and Elizabeth (Hawkins) Smith. Dale graduated from Heidelberg University in 1951 where he was a star shortstop on the Heidelberg Student Princes baseball team. His baseball career was cut short by a knee injury in college but he went on to play many years of softball for Timken in the Bucyrus Industrial League. On November 9, 1957 Dale married Mary Jean Kaple. They were married for 64 years.

Dale began his 42-year career at Timken during the summer after college. He worked various roles working his way up to the position of Personnel Director. Over the years, Dale hired many Timken employees. Dale was an avid golfer and enjoyed the Bucyrus Senior Golf League where he was a member of the Bucyrus Country Club. Dale was a member of Holy Trinity Church and served on the Holy Trinity School Board.

In addition to his parents, Dale was predeceased by his sisters, Virginia Kohli and Joan Swalley; his brother, Carl Smith; and his beloved granddaughter, Lesley Smith.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Mary Jean Smith, are his son Doug Smith, wife Wanda and their daughter Lauren, and his son Dennis, his wife Kelly and their children Erika Fogel (husband Andrew), Nick Smith (fiancée Alexia Koerkenmeier), great grandson Caleb Fogel and many nieces and nephews.

Dale had a great love for his family. He enjoyed spending time with his precious grandchildren and attending their events. Dale loved Cleveland sports teams, Ohio State and Jack Nicklaus. If he wasn't golfing, he was searching for stray golf balls of which he collected many tens of thousands. He attended many college and pro football and baseball games. He attended numerous golf tournaments at Muirfield and the Masters. After retirement, Dale and Mary Jean visited 47 of the 50 states. During the past several years, Dale enjoyed watching all these events on TV.

Dale’s family will receive friends at Wise Funeral Service on Thursday, September 29 from 5-8 pm. Funeral Mass will be held Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Friday at 11:00 am with Fr. Paul Fahrbach officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorial donations are encouraged to be made payable to Epilepsy Foundation Ohio and given through the funeral home. Memories and photos can be shared on Dale’s Tribute Wall.