Dale William Lutes

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Dale William Lutes.

Dale was born in Madeira, Ohio on June 8, 1937, son of the late William Stanley Lutes and Florence Etta Lutes. Beloved husband to Barbara (Brogan) Lutes. Loving father to Patti (Pete) Confar, Connie (Bob) Schroeck, Jackie (Steve) Tuckerman, Julie (Rob) Kirschbaum, Margaret (Eric W) Schwarz, and Penni (Bob) Morris. Dear brother to Rita Adler. Cherished grandfather to Elizabeth (Sean) Ryan, Andy (Megan) Schroeck, Lynn (Kyle) Welliver, Molly (Weston) Nelson, Tommy Confar, Nick Kirschbaum, William (Shelby) Schwarz, Julie (Bob) Herzog, Spencer (Kara) Tuckerman, Jane (Matt) Shisler, Matt Kirschbaum, Cameron Morris, Eric Morris, Abby Tuckerman and Noah Tuckerman. Proud great-grandfather to Ellie Jo (Andy and Megan) Schroeck, Tyler (Julie and Bob) Herzog, Riley and Hailey ( Elizabeth and Sean) Ryan, Cameron (William and Shelby) Schwarz, Luca ( Abby and Louie) Tuckerman/Correa, and Rosie Mae (Lynn and Kyle) Welliver. Loved and admired by many nieces and nephews.

Dale was a proud graduate of Madeira High School and later attended Ohio University. In high school he met the love of his life, Barbra. They celebrated their 66th Anniversary on July 4, 2023.

In high school, Dale enjoyed sports and played football and was the catcher for the baseball team. He also participated in several school plays often landing a comedic role.

Dale had many hobbies. He had a passion for the great outdoors and would often be “missing” during the month of December, found in a duck blind with his favorite hunting dog and his hunting buddies. He enjoyed fishing and made several trips to Canada with family and friends fishing on Rainy Lake.

Dale was an avid gardener! Together with his wife Barbara, they spent countless hours in their backyard creating spectacular garden beds and prided themselves by acquiring rare plants and flowers of all kinds. Dale maintained a bird feeder and enjoyed watching the many birds that would visit and enjoy their gardens!

Dale was an artist and his love of nature inspired him when he painted. He was a skilled woodworker and created his own duck decoys and crafted unique toys and objects that he gifted his children and grandchildren.

Dale was also known as “Mr. Fix-It” and he always had a home improvement project going on. He could fix and repair just about anything.

To say that Dale was a collector is an understatement! His collections included shotguns, pocket knives, fishing lures, decoys and antiques all of which he meticulously maintained.

Dale loved sports and was an avid Ohio State Football fan. He also enjoyed coaching his nephew, Jim Wells, in pee wee football and in knothole baseball coaching the Milford Royals team to two county victories.

He loved a good joke and of course thought his jokes were the funniest! He will be remembered for his sense of humor, quick wit and kind heart.

Dale was happiest spending time with his family! His daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his greatest joy. He had a special relationship with each one of them. He loved and adored them all and often traveled to their many special events. He made sure they knew how much he loved them!

After a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, Dale passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on October 19, 2023, at the age of 86.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to the amazing staff at Traditions of Lebanon Memory Care and to Suncrest Hospice of Cincinnati, West Chester Office, for the genuine care and love shown to Dale during his time there. They are eternally grateful and appreciative.

Family will receive friends on Friday, October 27, from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the John H. Evans Funeral Home 741 Center Street, Milford, Ohio. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 28, at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 552 Main Street, Milford, Ohio at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Cincinnati Chapter at www.alz.org/cincinnati or mailed to The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Cincinnati Chapter 644 Linn Street #1026 Cincinnati, Ohio 45203.