Dale C. Swingler

Dale C. Swingler, 94, of Mansfield, passed away Monday, February 15, 2016, at Winchester Terrace Nursing Home. He was born October 25, 1921, in Marietta, Ohio, to the late Clyde A. and Ruth T. (Hutton) Swingler.

Dale graduated from Mansfield Senior High in 1939. He was inducted into the Army at Fort Hayes in Columbus in 1942 and was sent to Camp Polk, Louisiana, with General Patton's 117th Armored Division where he was a combat engineer. Dale was awarded 3 battle stars during the Battle of the Bulge. He was discharged from the Army with the rank of 1st Sergeant. He then began his career at Westinghouse Electric and retired in 1988. He was a member of American Legion Post #535 and V.F.W. Post #3494.

On December 14, 1941, he married Martha E. Baker in Marietta, Ohio, and they recently celebrated 74 years of togetherness. He was a wonderful husband and father. Dale was intelligent, kind, honest and very generous. He always made time for those he loved. In his free time he enjoyed reading, playing dominos, Euchre, Pinochle and watching sports with his family. In his earlier years, he was an avid hunter and fisherman. Golfing, planting flowers and watching many animals were the best ways to relax.

He is survived by his loving wife, Martha Baker; a daughter, Sandra (John) James of Lexington, OH; son, Mike (Linda) Swingler of Austin, TX; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Glenn, who was killed while serving in the U.S. Navy.

The family wishes to express their special thanks to the staff at Winchester Terrace Nursing Home and nurses of Hospice of North Central Ohio for their compassionate care of Dale, it meant so very much.

Family and friends are welcomed from 12-1 p.m. Saturday, February 20, 2016, at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Dave Davenport officiating. The Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail will present military honors at the funeral home. Private burial will be held in Mansfield Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made in support of the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail.