Dale Sweet Obituary

Dale Allen Sweet

Jun 10, 1946 - Jan 30, 2025

Akron

Dale Allen Sweet, 78, passed peacefully after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia Thursday, January 30, 2025. Through the years, Dale fought courageously to battle this disease. He displayed strength and dignity until the very end.

He was born June 10, 1946, in Norwalk to Carl and Marjorie (nee Comer) Sweet. He graduated from Norwalk High School in 1964 and married the love of his life, Diana (nee Grimmer) Sweet, November 4, 1967. Dale and "Dee" had been a couple since the eighth grade! He worked at Norwalk Furniture Corporation for 36 years, retiring in 2001.

In addition to working at Norwalk Furniture, Dale also helped his wife operate Parkway Motel, located in Huron, for 24 years.

They have two daughters, Julie Ann (John) Buntin of Akron and Kristen Lea Sweet (Robb) of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, both of whom survive him.

Dale is also survived by his brother, David Sweet (Rita) of Findlay; his sister-in-law, Nancy Pedley (William) of St. Louis, Missouri; his brother-in-law, Dennis McDonald of Norwalk; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Diana; his parents, Carl and Marjorie; and his sister, Jane McDonald.

In 2014, Dale retired from all and sold his home in Huron and moved south to Punta Gorda, Florida, where he spent every winter until December 2023. He immensely enjoyed his time in Florida, going to the pool every day. Dale spent several recent summers with daughter Julie Ann and son-in-law John at their home and most recently lived at Vitalia Active Adult Community at Montrose in Copley.

Dale had a passion for Standardbred Harness Racehorses. With his wife by his side, they built a very successful breeding and racing business together for over 30 years. Once Diana passed away, Dale's oldest daughter, Julie Ann, joined her father in the fun & excitement of harness racing. Together they bred and raced many horses over the last 15 years. Some of their best-known favorites include Neely's Messenger, who won Ohio Horse of the Year in 2014, Jogging Home, Joggingtothebank, Jogging Full Trot, and Dream Something.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, 719 Dolan Lane, Lexington, Kentucky 40511 or Lewy Body Dementia Association, at 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Lilburn, Georgia 30047.

Cremation has taken place. Funeral Services will be at Walker Eastman Heydinger Funeral Home, 98 W Main St, Norwalk, Ohio 44857. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, February 6, 2025. Please join his family as we celebrate his life with a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 7, 2025, at Walker Eastman Heydinger Funeral Home. Interment will follow service at Woodland Cemetery.