Dale Frederick Braunschweiger

BRAUNSCHWEIGER, Dale F., age 87, of Kettering, passed away peacefully January 31 at his home at the Carlyle House in Kettering. He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Sophia Braunschweiger; sisters Dolores Detmer and Evelyn Michel and brother Eugene Braunschweiger (Mable); and beloved wife of 54 years Carol Braunschweiger (Fauver). Dale is survived by son Craig (Debra) and grandsons John and Tom; son Brian (Judi), grandson Jarrod and great-granddaughter Violet, and granddaughter Erin Sweitzer (Jimmy); nephews Ron Detmer (Judith), David Michel, and Steve Braunschweiger (Darlene); and cousin, Clifford Horn. Dale began a 40 year career at Delco Products in Dayton in 1945 as an apprentice tool maker from Patterson Co-Op High School. He became an accomplished toolmaker, beginning work on the bench in the model shop and eventually retiring in 1985 as Foreman of the Machine Repair Department at Plant 20. At many recent General Motors retiree picnics former friends and co-workers would comment to his son Craig how much they enjoyed and appreciated working with Dale. He was a long-time Freemason and member of the Masonic Alpha Lodge 729 in Kettering. Dale also proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1955 - 1957. Dale had been a member of the Christ United Methodist Church since 2006 and before that a long-serving member of the Belmont United Methodist Church. Dale will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, uncle, brother, brother-in-law, and cousin; as a devoted husband to Carol, with whom he enjoyed bowling, card-playing, square dancing, and traveling; as a loyal friend who greatly enjoyed monthly poker games with his buddies; and as a successful self-taught household handyman and home auto mechanic. But in recent years Dale could remember precious few of a lifetime of treasured memories, having been slowly robbed of them by the onset of dementia, the complications from which eventually took his life. The family thanks all of the staff, caregivers, and supportive family members of residents at The Carlyle House, where Dale was surrounded by compassionate care and kept safe and happy during his last few years. Funeral services will be held at TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-BELMONT CHAEPL on Friday, February 5, 2016, at 11am with Pastor Barry DeShetler officiating. Interment at Miami Valley Memory Gardens. Family and friends may visit from 10am until 11am at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family would greatly appreciate if contributions would be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.