Dale E. Albright, 87, died at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 20, 2012, at Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton. He was born March 15, 1925, in Convoy to the late Eli and Minnie (Upp) Albright.
On Nov. 5, 1948, he married Doris L. Edds and she died Dec. 29, 2005. He retired from Ex-Cello Corporation, Bluffton as personnel manager. He was co-owner with his wife of Albright’s Antiques and had also worked at the Lima Ordinance Depot where he played on a very successful semi-professional baseball team. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Bluffton; was an avid bridge player and graduated from Mendon High School.
Mr. Albright was a 32nd Degree Mason. He was an U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II where he served with the 15th Air Corps 775th Bomber Squadron 463rd Bomber Group as a ball turret gunner. On March 24, 1945, his B-17 "Laetitia" was shot down and he was captured as a POW. He was a member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, Lima.
Survivors include a son Mark (Deb) Albright of Ada; a daughter Sherrie (Terry) Tucker of Orrville; three grandsons Major Matthew (Michelle) Tucker, Pastor Andrew (Michelle) Tucker, Nathan Albright; one granddaughter Ashley (Sgt. John) Weaver; one step grandson Justin (Corry) Baker; one step granddaughter Heather Baker; four great grandchildren Madisyn, Hannah and Hunter Weaver, Benjamin Tucker; three step great grandchildren Mason, Tyler and Alexis Baker; a brother Bill (Jan) Albright of Celina; and a daughter-in-law Lesa Albright of Lima.
A son, D. Michael Albright; two brothers, Bob and Harvey Albright, and a sister, Donna Harner, preceded him in death.
Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church, Bluffton. Pastors Bryant Miller and Andrew Tucker officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Bluffton where military rites will be performed. Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. until time of the service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, Bluffton
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com
Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services have been entrusted with the arrangements.
