Dale C. Bigelow, 88, of Oregon, Ohio, passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026. He was born on January 20, 1938 to Howard, Sr. and Mary E. Bigelow. Dale enjoyed a wide variety of activities. He loved to dance, sing, fish, bowl, golf and travel.

Dale attended both Scott and DeVilbiss High Schools and remained close to classmates from both schools. He also attended the University of Toledo.

He was a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division stationed at Fort Campbell, KY. He had a 41 year career at Libby Owens Ford. He started in the mailroom and worked his way up to supervisor of quality control. After retiring from LOF, he worked as a consultant for the company.

In retirement, Dale ran the clubhouse at Oak Shade Grove, home of the German American Festival. You would find him either behind the bar or on the dance floor.

Dale was a member of both the German and Swiss Societies and a singer in the Teutonia Mannerchor and the Toledo Swiss Singers. He was also a member of the Michigan Steelheaders.

He enjoyed his fishing and hunting trips with his lifelong friend, Ken Wise, and hunting with the "Bono Bandits."

Dale was an avid fan of The Ohio State University much to the chagrin of the staunch Michigan fans in his extended family. Rivalry games with his cousin, Bill Wagoner, made for fun memories!

He lived his life to the fullest. He worked full time at LOF, landscaped as a side hustle, did all the activities listed above, and still managed to take his kids to church, ball games, cheerleading, fishing, swimming, sledding, you name it!

Dale is survived by his loving children: Tami (Steve) Kwiatkowski, Ginger (John) Cook, Cheri (Paul) Hanudel, and Adam Bigelow; Grandchildren: Carissa Kwiatkowski, Tony Bigelow, Monica (Johnny) Meredith, Alyssa and Ashlyn Bigelow, and Sean Hanudel; and Great Grandchildren: Annabelle, Greyson, Ronin and Winslow and Bailey, Hunter and Zane; as well as Sisters, Marilyn Graybill and Jackie (Burton) Murray. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and the mother of his children, Mary Viginia Bigelow Hartley, sister, Carolyn, and brother, Howard "Chick" Bigelow, Jr.

Our family would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the exceptional staff at Parkcliffe Memory Care Community (ELDERLIFE) in Toledo. The love and care they showed their "Dancing Dale" had value beyond price! Our thanks also goes out to the caring staff of Elara Caring Hospice for walking with us through Dad's end of life journey.

Visitation will be held at Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel, 440 S. Coy Road, Oregon, Ohio on Sunday, February 1, 2026 from 3:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. with additional visitation beginning prior to the start of the service at 12:00 p.m. Internment will follow at Toledo Memorial Park in Sylvania, OH.