Dale William Zink

Dale William Zink, 75, of Belleville, passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2022. He was born August 13, 1947 in Belleville, IL to Melchoir and Audrey (Seib) Zink. Dale graduated from Belleville West High School in 1965. He married Donna Becker in Belleville on June 20, 1966. Dale attended SIUE to study in the field of education. He received his Masters and Specialists degrees in both Counseling and Secondary Education. He began his teaching career in 1970 at Mehlville High School. A year later Dale transferred to Belleville East High School. He valued all aspects of education and made an impact on many students’ lives. Dale created and supervised many youth programs to support the social and emotional needs of adolescence in the Belleville area. He initiated the Senior Olympics tradition, the first LGBTQ support group, and the Broken Hearts program. He was the Head Chairperson for LifeSavers, a peer-support suicide crisis-prevention program, at both Belleville East and West. Dale founded BACCHUS in September 1999, a co-ed fraternity at SWIC, which actively promotes healthy collegiate lifestyles and positive decision-making among students on campus. After retiring from District 201, he continued mentoring students at both Belleville East and West and the coordinator counselor at SWIC. Dale also enjoyed being involved in his community through volunteer work. He was a tour guide at the Cahokia Mounds Interpretive Center and enjoyed dressing as Santa to visit various medical clinics, participating in parades and surprising friends and family, especially his grandchildren! Dale was an optimist who had a passion and zest for life. He loved deeply and unconditionally. He enjoyed spending quality time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was a true “family man”. His favorite activities involved music, dancing, going to the movies, and anything involving water. He would always lift people up with his contagious laugh and positive personality. He was a bright light in our community and will be remembered for the impact he made on so many lives.

Survivors include his wife, Donna Zink; children, Debra Wolf, Dee (Derek) Haar and Dan Zink; grandchildren, Danielle (Tim) Dinsmore, Drew (Kelsey) Wolf, Austin (Milena) Zink, Kalyn Haar, Dylan Zink, Matthew Haar, Audrey Feig and Autumn Zink; sisters, Karen (Victor) Morris and Sharon (Tim) McCormack; son-in-law, Doug Wolf; sister-in-laws, Sue, Jean and Bonita and numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family. Preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Roy Zink.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 4:00pm – 8:00pm in Lake View Funeral Home, 5000 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights, IL 62208. Funeral service will be held on Friday, October 28, 2022 at 11:00am in the funeral home with visitation from 10:00am until time of service. Memorial contributions can be made to Metroeast Pride Organization for at-risk youth, Belleville Township High School District 201 Educational Foundation, or The Association of Frontotemporal Degeneration AFTD.