Dale L. Zwicker

Dale L. Zwicker, 92, of Gahanna, Ohio and formerly of Genoa, Ohio, passed away at home with his loving family by his side on Thursday, August 3, 2023. He was born on March 16, 1931, in Genoa, Ohio, the son of the late Alton and Viola (Schanke) Zwicker. He married JoAnn M. Smith on March 13, 1954, at the Gibsonburg Garfield Memorial Church of Christ and she survives.

Dale was a 1949 graduate of Genoa High School. He was drafted in the United States Army on January 28, 1952, went to basic training in Camp Breckenridge, KY and was stationed in Trieste, Italy during the Korean War. He served in the 88th Recon (TRUST) until he was discharged on December 19, 1953.   

He worked in the part’s department for Cashen-Zwicker Ford Garage from 1947 to 1956. He was a mechanic with Genoa Motors from 1957 to 1972. During this time, he was a volunteer firefighter from 1958-1972 with the rank of Captain for the Clay Genoa Fire Department, where he also served as President and Secretary. He was the Fire Chief in Margaretta Twp., Castalia, Ohio from 1972 to 1978. Then to the State of Ohio Fire Academy in Reynoldsburg being a trainer/supervisor for 15 years, retiring in 1995. During that time, he was the Fire Instructor and Outreach Program Instructor for many fire departments in cities and counties, state and national levels all around the State of Ohio Fire Departments, including, Michigan, Maryland, and Indiana, on pumps and water flow. He also taught firefighters to become instructors, where he received recognition from many fire departments and fire organizations, as well as recognition from the State of Ohio Fire Marshall and the Ohio Governor. 

He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ, where he made his confirmation in April 1944 (then called St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed Church). He was also a member of the Genoa Post #324 since 1955 where he served as Post Commander, Adjutant; served as Commander for the Ottawa County Legion and served in the district legion as child welfare chairman; he was involved in the Genoa Centennial as being co-chairman with his wife as promenade chairman for the Centennial; an assistant coach for American Legion Baseball Division. He was also a member of the New York Chapter of the 88th Division and National 88th Infantry Division Association, and a member of the Columbus Maennerchor (German Club).

Survivors include loving wife, JoAnn; son, Jeffrey (Kay) Zwicker, Reynoldsburg, Ohio; daughter, Pamela (Chris) Young, Westerville, Ohio; grandchildren, Austin (Laura) Young, Morgan (William) Hillshafer, Vanessa (Scott) Willman, and Natalie (Joshua) O’Brien; great-grandchildren, Johann O’Brien and Parker Marie Willman. He was preceded in death by his father, Alton; mother, Viola, and sister, Janet Zwicker Weaver. 

Visitation for Dale will be Tuesday, August 15, 2023, from 2-7 p.m. at the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, 501 West St., Genoa, OH. Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at the funeral home.  Burial will follow in Clay Township Cemetery, Genoa, OH with military graveside honors.  Memorial contributions in memory of Dale may be given to St. John’s United Church of Christ, American Legion Post #324,the  Allen-Clay Joint Fire Department, or Ohio’s Hospice of Central Ohio.  Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com