Daniel Paul Dials

Daniel Paul Dials, 67, of Mansfield went home to be with the Lord Thursday, March 23, 2017 at his home after a short battle with cancer. Daniel was born March 3, 1950 in Mansfield, OH to the late Roger and Betty (Wentz) Dials.

Daniel retired from AK Steel after 32 years of employment, and was a member of the Local Union #169. Daniel attended Berean Baptist Church. Daniel was a 1968 graduate of Ontario High School . His love for sports started in high school, as a high school athlete he held numerous records. Daniel was a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He loved baseball and had a wealth of baseball knowledge, a true walking encyclopedia. He coached at Southwest Little League for 25 years. Daniel was a longtime season ticket holder of the Cleveland Indians, and was a fan of the Cleveland Browns, Cavaliers and Ohio State as well. Daniel enjoyed spending time reading his Bible, he had read it from cover to cover fifteen times. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading, listening to baseball games on the radio, going to Lake Erie, fishing, listening to music of the fifty and sixties, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Donna (Daley) Dials; his children, Roger (Sally) Dials of Mansfield, Shari Dials of Boardman, OH, and Aaron (Michelle) Dials of Ontario; six grandchildren; Kendall (Ariel) Dials, Ellie Dials, Hope Dials, Timothy Dials all of Mansfield, Daulton Dials and Nolan Dials both of Ontario; a brother, Howard Dials of Lexington; three nephews and their families; and close friends, Jerry Massey, Don Smith and Dave and Sandy Benick. He is preceded in death by his parents.

The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 pm on Monday, March 27, 2017 at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Rd. A funeral service conducted by Pastor Tony Viscioni will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at Ontario Free Methodist Church, 2200 Bedford Blvd. Daniel will be laid to rest in Mansfield Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Operation Christmas Child in care of the Ontario Free Methodist Church, 2200 Bedford Blvd. Mansfield, OH 44906.