A funeral service celebrating his life and ministry will be held 2:00 PM, Friday, March 2, 2018 at Rushwood Park Wesleyan Church in Asheboro with Reverend Joshua Dawalt, Reverend Jerry Lumston, Reverend Jonathan Lewis, Reverend Dr. Brent Tysinger and Reverend Dr. E. Keith Carroll officiating. Interment will follow at Randolph Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 12 noon until 2:00 PM at the church prior to the service.
Rev. Dawalt was a native of Miami County, Indiana and the son of the late Albert Dawalt and the late Laura Kerschner Dawalt. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and served as a pastor with the Wesleyan Church of America for over forty years. During that time he served as associate pastor of First Wesleyan Church in Gastonia from 1955 – 1956 with emphasis on youth and music; pastor of Mt. Moriah Wesleyan Church of Candler, NC from 1956-1959; First Wesleyan Church (formerly Christenberry Memorial) of Cherryville, NC from 1959-1967; Hayworth Memorial Wesleyan Church of High Point, NC from 1967-1973; Rushwood Park Wesleyan Church in Asheboro, NC from 1973-1980; First Wesleyan Church of Burlington, NC from 1980-1988; First Wesleyan Church in Sanford, NC from 1988-1989; Midway Wesleyan Church in Randleman, NC from 1989-1995 and interim pastored several churches after his retirement in 1995. He attended Mt. Zion Wesleyan Church in Thomasville, NC. He served on the Evangelism and Church Growth Board for over 40 years; the NC District Board of the Wesleyan Church and was Youth Conference President.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Murl Dawalt; sister, Marie Dawalt Fanning; and son-in-law, Reverend Marlin Johnson.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Evelyn Norris Dawalt; four children, Larry Dawalt and wife JoAnn of Charlotte, Susan Johnson of Forest City, Mark Dawalt and wife Marlene of Asheboro, and Donna Rebello and husband Brian of Myrtle Beach; eight grandchildren, Brandon Dawalt and wife Sara, Jessica Bass and husband Kevin, Laura Councell and husband Jonathan, Hannah Wilson and husband Dustin, Joshua Dawalt and wife Keisha, Sara Smith, James Smith and Max Smith; and nine great-grandchildren He is also survived by his brother-in-law Bill Norris (Betty); sister in law Sarah Norris; nieces Peggy Conley (RB), Mary Ann Stine (Stephen), Norma Trump (Ross), Nancy Bacchus and Loretta Huff (Rick); nephews Carl Dawalt (Donna), Jerry Dawalt, David Fanning (Sandy) and many great nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the many friends, acquaintances and health care providers who have been so supportive over the years, especially the staff at the SECU Hospice House in Forest City and Fairhaven of Forest City. We also wish to acknowledge the love and care provided to Dad by our loving sister, Susan, who faithfully served as primary caregiver for almost three years.
Memorial contributions may be made to NC West Evangelism & Church Growth, P.O. Box 5066, High Point, NC 27262; or NC East Evangelism & Church Growth, 1701 Westchester Dr., Suite 300, High Point, NC 27262; or to the Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, P.O. Box 366, Forest City, NC 28043 or www.hocf.org/donate.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.sechrestfunerals.com.
Sechrest Funeral Service in High Point is honored to assist the Dawalt family.
