Melvin Dale Dawson, age 94, of Bluffton, passed away at Willow Ridge, Freda House, Bluffton on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, surrounded by his family. 

He was born on September 16, 1930 in Allen County, Ohio to the late J. Fred and Georgia L. (Cowan) Dawson. Melvin married Dorothy Anspach and she preceded him in death on March 26, 1994. He later married Marjorie A. Winegardner on September 1, 1995 and she survives in Bluffton.      

Melvin retired from Sprint Telephone Company in 1992 after working for thirty-six years as a cable splicer.  He was a member of the Congregational Christian Church of LaFayette and attended the Liberty Chapel Church in LaFayette.  Melvin was a U.S. Army Veteran who served during the Korean War from February of 1952 to January of 1954.  He was a member of the Ada VFW Post #9381, the Lima Eagles Post #370, the Telephone Pioneer club and the Harrod Senior Citizens. 

Also surviving are two daughters: Susan (Tom) Shuey and Sally Sanders both of Harrod; three step sons: Burdette (Sherri) Winegardner of Lima, Brooks (Lisa) Winegardner of Bluffton & Brad Winegardner of Ada; two step daughters: Beth Ann (Jesse) Adame of Franklin, TN & Brenda (Andy) Caprella of Harrod; two grandchildren: Heath McClintock & Katie Sanders; four great grandchildren: Colton McClintock, Saira McClintock, Teddy Zeller and Noah Zeller; fourteen step grandchildren: Ashley Zeller, Isaac (Kelsey) Winegardner, Max Winegardner, Eli & Ian Spallinger, Schuyler, Chase & Gavin Caprella; Colton & Auston Ritson, Megan & Tyler Adame, Kristen Dekok & Megan Mason; and brother, Jack Dawson of Peoria, AZ.

Melvin was preceded in death by his grandson, Seth McClintock; son-in-law, Duncan Sanders; step grandson, Joe Zeller; and sister, Jane Lamb.  

Funeral services will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services, Ada with Pastor John Maynard officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Ada with graveside military honors conducted by the U.S. Army Honor Guard and the Ada VFW Post #9381 Honor Guard. 

Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service on Tuesday, December 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services, Ada. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Liberty Chapel Church, 7590 Sandusky Road, Lima, Ohio 45801.