Columbus, OH — Dale Allen Sweet, 78, died Jan. 30, 2025, after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
Through the years, Mr. Sweet fought courageously in battling this disease. He displayed strength and dignity until the very end.
He was born in Norwalk, Ohio, to Carl and Marjorie (nee Comer) on June 10, 1946. He graduated from Norwalk High School in 1964 and married the love of his life, Diana (nee Grimmer), on Nov. 4, 1967. Dale and “Dee” had been a couple since the eighth grade.
He worked at Norwalk Furniture Corporation for 36 years, retiring in 2001. In addition to working at Norwalk Furniture, he also helped his wife operate the Parkway Motel, located in Huron, Ohio, for 24 years.
In 2014, he retired and sold his home in Huron and moved south to Punta Gorda, Fla., where he spent every winter until December 2023. He immensely enjoyed his time in Florida, going to the pool every day.
Mr. Sweet spent several recent summers with his daughter Julie Ann and son-in-law John at their home, and most recently lived at the Vitalia Active Adult Community at Montrose in Copley, Ohio.
He had a passion for Standardbreds. With his wife by his side, they built a very successful breeding and racing business together for over 30 years. Once Diana passed away, his oldest daughter, Julie Ann, joined her father in the fun and excitement of harness racing. Together they bred and raced many horses over the last 15 years. Some of their best-known favorites include Neely’s Messenger, who won Ohio Horse of the Year in 2014, Jogging Home, Joggingtothebank, Jogging Full Trot, and Dream Something.
Mr. Sweet is survived by his daughters, Julie Ann (John) Buntin and Kristen Lea (Robb); brother, David (Rita); sister-in-law, Nancy (William) Pedley; brother-in-law, Dennis McDonald; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Diana; parents, Carl and Marjorie; and his sister, Jane McDonald.
Cremation has taken place. Funeral Services will be held at Walker Eastman Heydinger Funeral Home, 98 W. Main St., Norwalk, OH 44857. Visitation hours will be from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday (Feb. 6). Please join his family as we celebrate his life with a memorial service on Friday (Feb. 7) at 10:30 a.m. at Walker Eastman Heydinger Funeral Home. Interment at Woodland Cemetery will follow the service.
Memorial contributions may be sent to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, 719 Dolan Lane, Lexington, KY 40511, or the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Lilburn, GA 30047.