David L. Dalton of Mansfield passed away Friday, November 6, 2026, in the town he loved and represented for three terms on City Council and one term as Mansfield City Treasurer. He took great pride in being a founding member of the Mansfield Shade Tree Commission.
Dave was born in Hayesville, Ohio, on May 7, 1933, to the late John and Dorothy C. (Smith) Dalton. He was a graduate of Hayesville High School and Ashland College where he received a degree in Political Science and English. He attended graduate school at The Ohio State University Law School, and the University of Iowa. He served as a page in the Ohio Senate. He was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the US Navy where he was a meteorologist in Guam. Dave was proud to be included in an Honor Flight for US veterans traveling to Washington D.C.
He taught senior government and history at Loudonville Schools. He directed many high school plays at Loudonville. While teaching at Loudonville schools, Dave owned and operated Loudonville Printing and Supply along with his wife and one partner. He published a bi-weekly newspaper reaching 5000 area homes and wrote the very well accepted editorials for the paper. After serious health problems, he decided to close the company. Dave finished his teaching career at Ontario High School. Several years after retirement, Dave worked as an Administrative Officer with the Ohio Department of Taxation.
Over their lifetime, he and Dottie designed and built two homes, planting numerous trees on their properties. Dave was able to fulfill his lifelong dream of living on a sailboat, so he and his wife, Dottie, sold their home and ended up with the vessel “Sand Pebble” as their home for 5½ years with Fort Myers and Venice, Florida being their home ports. He received his US Coast Guard license as a Master Captain and taught boating classes for the Mansfield Power Squadron. He also earned his CL5 Merchant Marine Officer designation.
A lifelong Republican, Dave founded the first Republican Club at Ashland College. After retiring from Ontario schools, he served on the Executive Committee for the GOP. Along with Dottie, he co-chaired President Reagan’s first campaign in 1976 for the 17th Congressional District. They chose the delegates and alternates for the Kansas City Republican Convention in 1976. David laid the groundwork for Reagan’s next run for President.
Dave is survived by his wife, Dorothy “Dottie” George Dalton; four children, Heather (Scott) Gilbert, Holly (Steven) Cohen, Hillary (Todd) Scheiber and Heath Dalton; six grandchildren, Drew (Cristen) Gilbert, Aubin (Mike) D’Andrea, Corey (Miranda) Scheiber, Taylor (Jim) Masi, Devan Dalton, and Lauren (Sean) Norwood; ten great-grandchildren, Dalton, Delaney and Della Scheiber, Diem and Cade Gilbert, Cael, Emet and Vada D’Andrea, and Joel and Adam Norwood; his baby sister, Portia (George) Recck; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John; in-laws, Johnny and Joanie George and Harold and Pearl George Riland; and nephews, Thad Simmons, Skip George, and John James Dalton.
Although Dave suffered damage from brain surgery at the age of 32, he never complained. Pain was a constant companion until his death at age 93½. Over the years, he had 3 major brain surgeries but remained a positive role model for his family and friends. What made Dave’s heart sing was his wife of 71 years, his four children and their families.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, November 20, 2026, from 10:00AM-11:00 AM at Wappner Funeral Directors and Crematory-Mansfield, 98 S. Diamond Street. A memorial service will immediately follow at 11:00 AM. He will be inurned at Mansfield Cemetery with military honors presented by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mansfield Shade Tree Commission for the beautification of the community.
