Dale E. Gleckler, 1930-2012: Volunteer firefighter was a councilman in Lyons 12 years

3/19/2012

LYONS, Ohio — Dale E. Gleckler, a longtime volunteer firefighter and former member of the Lyons Village Council, died Saturday at Lenawee Medical Care Facility in Adrian.

Mr. Gleckler, 81, died in his sleep. The cause of death was undetermined, son Kim Gleckler said.

The longtime resident of Lyons served 44 years as a volunteer with the Lyons-Royalton Fire Department, a position he held while serving 12 years on Lyons Village Council.

Mr. Gleckler was elected to his first council term in 1975. After completing his second term, he decided not to seek re-election in 1983.

But with two positions vacant because of a lack of candidates, councilmen appointed him to fill one of the openings, according to a newspaper report.

Among the issues occupying council members at the time were police protection and financing a waterline to supply the Fulton County village 25 miles west of Toledo.

Mr. Gleckler was born on May 30, 1930, in Lyons to Harvey George and Thelma Gleckler.

His father built houses and Mr. Gleckler picked up skills with carpenter tools, his son Kim said.

He graduated from Lyons High School in 1948 and joined the Army in 1951.

As part of his two years in the military, he was sent to Korea and to Japan, where he had training on explosives, his son said. He also served as a weapons inspector before his discharge in 1953.

While at a base in Japan, he heard a familiar voice and discovered to his surprise a hometown buddy, Doyle Gillespie, who enlisted in the Army separately, Kim Gleckler said.

Mr. Gleckler married Margaret Tobin on March 4, 1951.

She died in 2010. Prior to her death, Mr. Gleckler moved from Lyons to the Adrian nursing home to be close to her. His health began deteriorating after his wife’s death, his son said.

After his Army discharge, Mr. Gleckler returned to Lyons and took a job with SE Johnson Co. of Maumee, driving a tar truck and later a pavement roller for the firm’s highway projects.

Much of his work involved Ohio Turnpike repaving, his son said.

“It was long hours, but he loved doing it,” his son said.

Mr. Gleckler was an avid volunteer for the fire department and “took a lot of pride” in the organization, the son said.

“Whenever they needed something, he was always willing to do it,” his son said.

He didn’t have hobbies, but took an active interest in his sons’ high school sports accomplishments.

Kim Gleckler described his father as a stern and no-nonsense German.

“You couldn’t get away with anything,” he recalled. “You’d better pay attention.”

As his children grew and raised families, Mr. Gleckler avidly followed his grandchildren’s activities, his son said.

Mr. Gleckler is survived by sons Kim, Kip, and Kelly, six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation is to be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Eagle Funeral Home-Charles Fink Chapel, Morenci, Mich., with the funeral scheduled there Thursday at 11 a.m.

Memorials are suggested to the Lenawee Medical Care Facility’s activity fund or to the Lyons-Royalton Township Fire Department.

Contact Jim Sielicki at: jsielicki@theblade.com or 419-724-6050.