Reverend Dr. Dale E. Bichsel, 89, passed away late Wednesday afternoon, May 14, 2014, at Willow-brook
Christian Village in Delaware.
He was born July 10, 1924 in New Phila-delphia, Ohio to the late Charles and Ruth (Hamilton) Bichsel.
After graduating from New Philadelphia High School, he attended Ohio Wesleyan University for one year and
then served as a member of the United States Army during World War II in England and France.
He returned to Ohio Wesleyan and graduated in 1948. He then attended Yale Divinity School from which he
graduated in 1951. After serving as pastor of Methodist churches in Mentor on the Lake, Columbus,
Delaware, Bowling Green and Dayton, he was appointed senior pastor of Hyde Park Community United
Methodist Church in Cincinnati and served there until his retirement in 1988. In retirement, he served
as minister of counseling at Anderson Hills United Methodist Church.
Dale was a life trustee at Ohio Wesleyan University where he received his Honorary Doctor of Divinity in
1965. He was also a trustee of the Methodist Theological School, a 30-year member of the Rotary Club and
recipient of the Paul Harris Award for community service. He chaired the Conference Board of Ministry
and served on the National Board of Higher Education for the United Methodist Church.
He was a fan of collegiate sports, avid reader of American History, enjoyed travel, vacation time with
family at Lakeside, Ohio and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 61 years Josephine "Jo"
(Garver); daughters Beth Bichsel (Steven) Ricard of Bowling Green and Mary Jo (Douglas) Davis of Amherst;
son Dr. David (Vivian) Bichsel of Bexley; eight grandchildren, Elizabeth, John, Thomas and Charles
Davis, Paul and Edward Ricard, Sarah and Emily Bichsel; sister Virginia Bolender of Canton; and many
nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter Katherine Bichsel, a brother
James L. Bichsel and a sister Dorothy Yenny.
The family will receive friends on Friday, May 23rd from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the William Street
United Methodist Church, 28 W. William Street, Delaware OH 43015.
Celebration of Life Services will follow at 1 p.m. with Rev. Julie Carmean officiating.
A luncheon reception will then follow at the church.
Private family graveside services will be held at the Grandview Union Cemetery in Strasburg, OH.
Contributions in Dale’s memory may be made to The Ohio Wesleyan University, 61 S. Sandusky St., Delaware,
OH 43015 or Lakeside Chautaqua Foundation, 236 Walnut Ave., Lakeside, OH 43440.
Condolences may be expressed to the family and memories may be shared by visiting
www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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