Dale Thomas Kervin

Dale Thomas Kervin passed away peacefully at home on March 5, 2026. Dale was born on January 9, 1937, to Joseph and Loretta (Rectenwald) Kervin in Maumee, Ohio, where he has lived his entire life. He was the sixth of fifteen children - a lively and close-knit family that remained a lasting source of pride and connection throughout his life. Nine of those siblings still survive him, a testament to the strong roots from which Dale came. At just 17 years old, Dale was so determined to serve his country and help provide for his family that he stretched the truth about his age to join the United States Navy to become a Seaman aboard the USS Howard W. Gilmore- a reflection of the courage and resolve that defined his entire life. That same boldness and determination carried through everything he did and became the defining trait of the man he would grow to be. On December 9, 1978, he married the love of his life, Betty (Casier). Together they built a life centered on family, hard work, and generosity. Dale dedicated 40 years of service to The Andersons, working in the fertilizer division in Maumee, retiring in 1996. Even in retirement, Dale would never sit still or slow down. He kept himself busy by doing projects and building display cases at Walt Churchills Market and taking on odd jobs at the Maumee Elks. He was known for his strong work ethic and steady reliability - the kind of man you could always count on. Staying busy wasn't just a habit - it was part of who he was. He was a proud and active member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles - Maumee Aerie 2562, Fraternal Order of Eagles - Rossford Aerie 2322, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks - Maumee Lodge 1850, and American Legion - Maumee Post 320. Dale was loved by every single person he encountered. He had a way of making others feel welcome, valued, and at ease. He never met a stranger - only friends he hadn't made yet - and he was loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Dale had a deep love and passion for fishing. For many years, he proudly served as Captain of the boat he and Betty shared, spending as much time as they could on Lake Erie fishing for walleye and perch. Those days on the water brought him peace and joy, and some of his happiest moments were spent casting a line with the people he loved most. He found great pride and joy in gardening, where he grew and canned just about everything. In the kitchen and the garage, he was equally creative - making his own barbecue sauce and homemade sausage in countless flavors, experimenting with recipes he found on the internet, and more recently even learning the art of making homemade moonshine. Never one to do anything halfway, he would proudly craft it in many different varieties, fruit, apple, peach, pear and, believe it or not, even potato and tomato. He loved surprising people with his concoctions. True to his generous spirit, all of what he made was given away to friends, family, and neighbors or anyone lucky enough to stop by. If Dale made it, it was meant to be shared. Blessed with a brilliant mind and gifted hands, he could build or fix just about anything. If something was broken, you always knew you could call Dale and count on him to be there. In recent years, he poured that same craftsmanship into creating unique birdhouses and handcrafting walking canes - each one different and reflecting his creativity, each one made with care. But more than his talents, it was his generosity that defined him. He gave freely - his time, his knowledge, his harvests, his creations, his selflessness, and his love. He showed us that a good life is not measured by what you keep, but by what you give away. In addition to his wife, Betty, and his daughter, Debbie (Rick) Easterwood (whom he fondly called his Son), Dale is survived by his 7 sisters, 2 brothers, three children, two stepchildren, thirteen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and his Chihuahua baby Josie. Dale is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. His legacy lives on not only in the family he cherished but in the countless lives he touched through his kindness and generosity and the void he leaves will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers and 2 sisters, as well as his little Pomeranian buddy Bear, and his kitties Tommy and BB. Above all else, Dale will always be remembered as a devoted husband, proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather, a cherished brother, loyal friend and helpful neighbor. He was a gracious, humble man who gave far more than he ever took. Above all, he will be remembered for his unwavering love, his steady presence, and the way he made everyone feel welcome. His legacy lives on in the lessons he taught, the things he built, and the countless lives he touched. Though our hearts are heavy, we are forever grateful for the gift of having known and loved him. The family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Steve Auler (Dale's honorary bonus grandson), who has selflessly and generously given his time to watch over and assist both Dale and Betty whenever help was needed. We would also like to sincerely thank all of the extended family, friends and neighbors for their kindness and continued support that they provided to Dale, Betty and the family. This brought great comfort to us and means more than words can express. In addition, a special thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at the University of Toledo Hospital and Heartland Hospice for the extraordinary care, compassion and respect that they showed to Dale and our family during this very difficult time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be given to the Humane Society, Humane Ohio, Heartland Hospice, or any Veteran's Association of your choice. A Memorial visitation will be held at Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. on Monday, March 16 from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. The military honors and Memorial service will begin at 1:00 p.m. Luncheon will be provided afterwards at the Maumee Eagles at 2301 Detroit Avenue, Maumee from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Please view Dale's video tribute and leave a condolence message for the family at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

Tributes

Dale Thomas Kervin

January 9, 1937 - March 5, 2026