In Memory Of
James Alvin Dial
1935
2020
James Alvin Dial
March 5, 1935 — April 3, 2020
JAMES ALVIN DIAL, 85, of Akron, OH went home to be with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on Friday, April 3, 2020.
Matthew 25:21 His Lord said unto him, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
Jim was born on March 5, 1935 in Somerset, PA to Dorothy Coleman Dial and Wilbur A. Dial. He graduated from Garfield High School, attended Hammel Actual Business College and began his career at Schulman Plastics in Akron, OH. Jim went on to become a paper salesman with Millcraft Paper Company where he won numerous awards such as "Fort Howard Top Salesman. From 1981 - 2006 he was employed as a school bus driver for Tallmadge Public Schools where he was adorned every holiday with homemade crafts and goodies from the elementary students and where he developed a special rapport with the middle and high school students.
Married to the love of his life, Beverley Klontz, they were blessed with three children. Cherished as a beloved husband, father and grandfather, he loved taking family camping trips to Blue Rock State Park and boating on weekends at West Branch. As a yearly outing, the family would attend the Cleveland boat show to watch the waterskiing squirrel. Walleye fishing trips to Lake Erie and Canada were a favorite adventure with friends from Christian Businessmen's Association. Jim is remembered for his corny sense of humor, off-the-wall jokes, unforgettable pranks and giving the sting of the "dead finger". A self-proclaimed basketball and ping pong champion, he was a kid at heart and truly enjoyed shooting hoops and spending time target practicing in the basement with his kids and grandkids.
He coached the following teams: CVCA Royals boys basketball team; Ellet Braves baseball team; Chapel Hill Christian School girls basketball team, leading them to Championship.
For many years he was a leader in Christian Service Brigade (a Bible based mentoring ministry for men and boys). He served in local churches and on the Regional Board through 2013 and worked with the Stockade and Battalion age groups at Ohio Brigade Camp. His delight was serving every summer for over 30 years at camp as a rifle instructor and summer camp counselor at Ohio Brigade Camp at Stony Glen in Madison, OH.
Giving his heart to Christ in 1959, at Covenant United Presbyterian Church, Jim became a true Bible scholar, studying the scriptures in depth, and sharing his faith with many others over these years. God has used his life greatly, serving in many leadership roles; Home Bible Study Seminars, as an elder, deacon, Sunday School teacher, a dedicated prayer warrior, and most recently, as the chairman of the church's Hospital Visitation ministry at his home church, Arlington Memorial Baptist Church.
He will be sadly missed by his loving wife (Bev) of 59 years and primary caregiver for the last several years, daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Steve Smith (Circleville, OH); son and daughter-in-law, James and Becky Dial (Springfield, MO); daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Larry Grove (Brooklyn & Hayden); Grandchildren: Timothy James and Kate Dial (Nashville, TN); Elizabeth and Jordan Turner (Springfield, MO); Gabrielle Cicala (Minerva, OH); Victoria Warren (Columbus, OH); Great Grandson: Logan James Dial (Nashville, TN) , niece Marshell Johnson and nephews Brian and Wayne Steiner.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Wilbur A. Dial, and sister, Patty Steiner.
At this time a memorial service is postponed until further notice due to the current health crisis. If desired, friends may make memorial contributions in memory of James A. Dial to: Ohio Valley Region CHRISTIAN SERVICE BRIGADE (CSB) MINISTRIES, 1086 Allen-Smith Rd., Leavittsburg, OH 44430.
Heartfelt thanks to Lance Snyder, Mike Eddins, Ray Buchanan and Wes Apitz for stellar friendship and faithful commitment to the very end of Jim's journey.
Jude 24: Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy; To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen
Matthew 25:21 His Lord said unto him, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
Jim was born on March 5, 1935 in Somerset, PA to Dorothy Coleman Dial and Wilbur A. Dial. He graduated from Garfield High School, attended Hammel Actual Business College and began his career at Schulman Plastics in Akron, OH. Jim went on to become a paper salesman with Millcraft Paper Company where he won numerous awards such as "Fort Howard Top Salesman. From 1981 - 2006 he was employed as a school bus driver for Tallmadge Public Schools where he was adorned every holiday with homemade crafts and goodies from the elementary students and where he developed a special rapport with the middle and high school students.
Married to the love of his life, Beverley Klontz, they were blessed with three children. Cherished as a beloved husband, father and grandfather, he loved taking family camping trips to Blue Rock State Park and boating on weekends at West Branch. As a yearly outing, the family would attend the Cleveland boat show to watch the waterskiing squirrel. Walleye fishing trips to Lake Erie and Canada were a favorite adventure with friends from Christian Businessmen's Association. Jim is remembered for his corny sense of humor, off-the-wall jokes, unforgettable pranks and giving the sting of the "dead finger". A self-proclaimed basketball and ping pong champion, he was a kid at heart and truly enjoyed shooting hoops and spending time target practicing in the basement with his kids and grandkids.
He coached the following teams: CVCA Royals boys basketball team; Ellet Braves baseball team; Chapel Hill Christian School girls basketball team, leading them to Championship.
For many years he was a leader in Christian Service Brigade (a Bible based mentoring ministry for men and boys). He served in local churches and on the Regional Board through 2013 and worked with the Stockade and Battalion age groups at Ohio Brigade Camp. His delight was serving every summer for over 30 years at camp as a rifle instructor and summer camp counselor at Ohio Brigade Camp at Stony Glen in Madison, OH.
Giving his heart to Christ in 1959, at Covenant United Presbyterian Church, Jim became a true Bible scholar, studying the scriptures in depth, and sharing his faith with many others over these years. God has used his life greatly, serving in many leadership roles; Home Bible Study Seminars, as an elder, deacon, Sunday School teacher, a dedicated prayer warrior, and most recently, as the chairman of the church's Hospital Visitation ministry at his home church, Arlington Memorial Baptist Church.
He will be sadly missed by his loving wife (Bev) of 59 years and primary caregiver for the last several years, daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Steve Smith (Circleville, OH); son and daughter-in-law, James and Becky Dial (Springfield, MO); daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Larry Grove (Brooklyn & Hayden); Grandchildren: Timothy James and Kate Dial (Nashville, TN); Elizabeth and Jordan Turner (Springfield, MO); Gabrielle Cicala (Minerva, OH); Victoria Warren (Columbus, OH); Great Grandson: Logan James Dial (Nashville, TN) , niece Marshell Johnson and nephews Brian and Wayne Steiner.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Wilbur A. Dial, and sister, Patty Steiner.
At this time a memorial service is postponed until further notice due to the current health crisis. If desired, friends may make memorial contributions in memory of James A. Dial to: Ohio Valley Region CHRISTIAN SERVICE BRIGADE (CSB) MINISTRIES, 1086 Allen-Smith Rd., Leavittsburg, OH 44430.
Heartfelt thanks to Lance Snyder, Mike Eddins, Ray Buchanan and Wes Apitz for stellar friendship and faithful commitment to the very end of Jim's journey.
Jude 24: Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy; To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen
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