C. Dale Swinderman

C. Dale Swinderman, 82, of Dover, passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2003, at Aultman Hospital.
He was born on February 23, 1920, in Dover, the son of the late Roy F. and Myrtle M. Cunningham Swinderman.
On May 20, 1946, he married Virginia Lee Hisrich, who preceded him in death on September 1, 1999.
Dale, a 1940 Dover High School graduate, was a drum major in the Dover Marching Band, established the first majorette squad, and was captain of the basketball team, student director of the Dover High School Choir and member of the Phi Sigma Chi Dover High School fraternity.
He attended Kent State University and played on the basketball team, before enlisting in the Army.
During World War II, Dale was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart at the Battle of Iwo Jima. After WWII, he commanded the local National Guard and Army Reserve unit, until retiring in 1980 with the rank of captain. He also started a drill team, which became the White Clefs of Dover Drum and Bugle Corps. He coached the Dover St. Joseph�(TM)s High School basketball team and was a member of the neighborhood “Dover Seventh Street Tigers Club.”
Dale was the first Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Dover, employed by the State of Ohio Division 11 Relocation Department, and was a founding partner of Marathon Manufacturing and Supply in Roswell. For many years, he also worked at Klars Athletic Supply in Dover.
He served on the Dover Board of Education for 16 years and held the offices of president and vice president, and was a founding member of the Tornado Club, which continues to support today�(TM)s Dover youth.
Dale, a lifelong democrat, served on the Tuscarawas County Executive Committee, was a Democratic Central Committeeman and mayoral candidate for Dover. He was a recipient of the Robert E. Moore Outstanding Democrat Award, which was presented to him by Senator John Glenn.
Dale served as the Parade Marshal for many parades in the City of Dover, and he and his wife were former grand marshals of the Dover-New Philadelphia Christmas Unity Parade.
He was a member of the St. John�(TM)s United Church of Christ of Dover, where he served on the church council, was a deacon, assistant choir director for the Sacred Choir and Senior High Choir, co-chairman of the Renovation Committee, secretary of the Men�(TM)s Fellowship, and member of the Sanctuary Committee. He also sang in the Senior Choir and Men�(TM)s Chorus.
He was a lifetime member and officer of the Dover Elks, the American Legion Post 205 in Dover, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3463 of Dover, AMVETS in Dover, and 40 et 8 Voiture.
Dale was an avid Notre Dame fan and Dover sports and music booster.
Surviving are three sons, Bradley Dale, Corey B. (Ann), and Brett Wynn, all of Dover, and one daughter, Lynne C. (David E.) Ledford of Medina; and four grandchildren, Anthony M. and Kevin M. Mick, both of Columbia Station, Angela C. Mick of Rensselaer, NY, and Kyle P. Swinderman of Dover; Nieces and nephews, Mark, Jackie, Sandy, Tommy, Gloria, Patty, Richard, Timothy, David and Karen; and additional grandnieces and grandnephews.He is also survived by one aunt, Ruth Swinderman Heidy; cousins, Patricia (Raymond) Ricklic, Brenda Clever, Barbara (Roger) Diehl, Glen (Virginia) Swinderman, Phyllis Espenschied and their families; Paul and Kathleen Scherer, Anna Mae Keppler, Daniel and Jewel Horn, William and Dorothy Horn, and their families.
He is preceded in death by three brothers; Edgar, Robert, and Jack.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 8, 2003, at St. John�(TM)s United Church of Christ in Dover, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Steve Daniels and Amy Joy Prather officiating. Special music will begin at 10:45 a.m. in the sanctuary. Interment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dover with military graveside services conducted by the Dover V.F.W.
Calling hours will be held Tuesday, January 7, 2003, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., with a memorial service conducted by Elks members at 6:45 p.m. in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home in Dover.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. John�(TM)s United Church of Christ of Dover Renovation Fund or the Virginia Lee “Ginny” Swinderman Scholarship Fund, 409 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, OH 44622.