Dale Dawes, 94, of South Williamsport passed away on Friday, May 11, 2018 at Ravine Ridge, Williamsport Home. His wife the former Olive Day passed away May 23, 2001.
He was born on March 27, 1924 in Trout Run and was the son of James W. and Florence Keeley Dawes. Dale was a 1941 graduate of Ralston High School. He also attended Williamsport Technical Institute, now Pennsylvania College of Technology, Drexel University under the sponsorship of U. S. Signal Corps and the Army Specialized Training Program at Louisiana State University. He later served as a combat infantryman with the 99th Division in the ETOI and was a survivor of the Battle of the Bulge.
Following his army service, he was employed over 22 years at Avco Lycoming, now Textron, as an inspector. He was a member of UAW Local 787 and served many years as a union steward and as chairman of the plant committee.
In 1973 he was granted a leave of absence to assume the position of treasurer-manager of the Avco Employees Federal Credit Union, now West Branch Valley FCU. Under his leadership, the credit union purchased and renovated the gas station and Hurrs store at 1640 High St. and moved the credit union headquarters from Hepburnville to its current location. Following his retirement in 1985 he was hired as temporary manager of the Palco Federal Credit Union in Montoursville and also served on the board of directors. A member of the South Williamsport United Methodist Church, he served many years on the administrative council and as chairman of the pastor-parish relations committee.
Dale was active in community affairs, he served one term on the South Williamsport Area School Board where he was president of the athletic council, and was a member of the band parent’s association and booster club.
He also served two terms on the Lycoming County Recreation Authority. During this time, the 18 hole Challenge course was constructed creating one of the finest golfing venues in north central Pennsylvania. Dale was an avid golfer and a past member of the White Deer golf complex and Liberty Valley Country Club in Danville where he was a senior club champion in 2005 at the age of 81.
Dale was a member of the Lucky Twelve hunting club, Trout Run, the South Williamsport River Walk Senior Center, the Trout Run Senior Center and the Wheel Inn at Roaring Branch. He helped organize the Ralston Alumni Association and served as president for more than 20 years.
He played fast pitch softball for many years in the county, independent and city leagues. Dale teamed up with his five brothers and played basketball in the former city league and in Trout Run, as well as bowling together in several leagues in the city.
He is survived by his son, Lonnie (Vicky) Dawes and granddaughters Nicole Hayes and Erica (Matthew) Rhodes, grandchildren Spencer, Kadence, and Violet all of Lancaster, many nieces and nephews and his beloved companion Betty Weiskerger of South Williamsport. Dale was especially appreciative of his nieces Donna and Holly and nephew Jeff who reside near him and the countless ways in which they assisted him. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Olive, his parents, and brothers, Clinton, Dean, Leon, George and Donald and sister Betty Persico.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2018 in South Williamsport United Methodist Church, 409 Main St., South Williamsport with Rev. Mark Brumbach officiating. Burial will be in Steam Valley Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday at the church from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Family will provide flowers and suggests memorial contributions in Dale’s name be made to the church.
Kaufman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc.
