Dale H. McCann

     Dale H. McCann
Mason: Dale H. McCann, Jr. Born on February 9, 1930, to the late Dale H. McCann, Sr., and the late Anna (nee Lang) McCann. Passed from this life to Glory on March 20, 2023, at the age of 93. He was preceded in death by his sister Pat (the late Ivan) Wells and is survived by a younger brother, Don (Bobbi) McCann.

Dale was a lifelong minister of the Gospel, preaching from the time he was 18 years old. After a summer preaching ministry at the Salt Lick (KY) Christian Church, in September of 1948 he accepted the call to Bethany Community Church in Dayton, Ohio, leading the church in growth and to aligning with the non-denominational fellowship of Christian churches and churches of Christ. At the time, Dale was a student at The Cincinnati Bible Seminary, from which he graduated in 1951 and then enrolled in the graduate school.

While at Bethany, Dale met his first wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Niswonger. They were married March 8, 1952; Betty preceded Dale in death in December, 1997. Their children were born in Dayton during the Bethany ministry: Kathy (Jon) Underwood, Jonathan (Kathy) McCann, and Michael (the late Cindy) McCann. In 1958, the family moved to Connersville, Indiana, where Dale served as minister with the Grandview Church of Christ. They stayed in Connersville until March, 1964, when Dale accepted the call to become minister of the First Christian Church of Longmont, CO (now Lifebridge Christian Church). That ministry stretched into 27 years, into 1991. During that time the downtown church grew significantly, planted the Rocky Mountain Christian Church, and made preparations to relocate to the church’s current location to facilitate additional growth. The McCann family grew as well, and in addition to his adult children, Dale is survived by 10 grandchildren: Sarah, Joel, Christa, Timothy, Jason, Alli, Nick, Ben, Matt, and Stephen; as well as 8 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In the fall of 1991, Dale and Betty moved to Leesburg, FL, where Dale became minister of First Christian Church there. Son Michael joined Dale in ministry in Leesburg, as he had in Longmont, eventually assuming the lead minster role so Dale could spend more time with Betty, whose health was by that time in decline. After Betty’s death, Dale married Judy Shilt on February 20, 1999. Dale and Judy served in a variety of ministries in Leesburg and later in SW Ohio, to which they moved in 2005. Judy preceded Dale in death in December of 2022.

At the time of his death, Dale was a resident at the Christian Village at Mason. Though weakened in mind and body by this time, his heart was still in ministry. He enjoyed talking with family, staff, and other residents about the Lord and His church.

Dale will be laid to rest in a private family service at Arlington Memorial Gardens in Mt. Healthy. A public memorial service will be planned for a later date at the family’s convenience. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Compassionate Care Fund of Christian Village Communities, 411 Western Row Road, Mason, Ohio. 45040.