Dale H. Avery, age 85, went home with his savior on June 28, 2009.
Dale was born on May 8, 1924, in Sylvania, Pa., son of the late Elmer E. and Creasie (Hanna) Avery.
He attended Taylor Elementary and was a graduate from the Troy High School with a business diploma in 1941. Dale played the trumpet in orchestra, concert, marching band, district and state band, and in patriotic services. After graduation, he played trumpet in the Troy Village band for many years.
Dale owned and operated a farm near Sylvania for several years. He later owned and managed Avery’s Appliance Store in Troy, where he specialized in design and installation of custom kitchens. Dale then managed the appliance department for Gimbels’ Department Store at Park City Mall in Lancaster, Pa., where he achieved top salesman awards. He later managed Hollinger’s Lawn and Garden in Ephrata, Pa.
Dale married the former Glenda Griswold on Aug. 3, 1973. They were blessed with 35 years together.
In 1978, he began many years in the mobile home transport business, delivering homes from eastern factories to dealers. He formed Avery’s Glendale Trucking business, an “elite fleet” of drivers. Selling the business in 1991, he continued to drive until he retired in 1992.
Dale was a member of the Truthville Baptist Church in North Granville, where he served as principal of Truthville Christian Academy from 2002 to 2004. Previously, he was one of the founders of Fellowship Bible Church in Castleton, Vt.
Following his retirement, he enjoyed traveling, visiting family, the Maine seashore, Bible conferences and winters in Florida.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Glenda Avery of Hampton; one son, Gary Avery and his wife, Linda, of Goose Creek, S.C.; four daughters, Julie McGee and her husband, Johnny, of Ridgeville, S.C., Amy Shetler and her husband, Frank, of Picture Rocks, Pa., Elizabeth Temple and her husband, James, of Muncy, Pa., and Jennifer Rumney and her husband, Timothy, of Barrie, Ontario, Canada; one brother, Donald Avery and his companion, Marie Scott, of Williamsport, Pa.; stepchildren, Neil VanNess of Burkholder, Pa., Paula Burkholder and her husband, Norvell, of Ephrata, Pa., Lynn VanNess and his wife, Alice, of Pine Grove, Pa.; a daughter in-law, Christine Avery; a sister in-law, Ann T. Griswold; 14 grandchildren, Marla Harvey and her husband, Teddy, Beth Crofut and her husband, Nicholas, Sarah Avery, Natalie Avery, Megan McGee, Caroline McGee, Jessica Shetler, Matthew Shetler, Kayla Stackhouse, Dakota Rumney, Gary, Michael, Stephen and Victoria Burkholder; three great-grandchildren, “Trey” Harvey, Emily and Jacob Crofut; a nephew, John “Jack” Avery; two nieces, Linda A. Prior and Gail Hunter; special neighbors, the Bill Cartier Family; and by his loving dog, “Emily.”
He was predeceased by his parents, two sons, Greg Paul Avery in 1972 and Garth Dale Avery in 1996; a sister in-law, Ruth Avery; and by a brother-in-law, John H. Griswold.
Relatives and friends may call on Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Roberts-Aubin Funeral Home in Poultney, Vt., and from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Truthville Baptist Church in North Granville. A funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. at the church. Dean Crossman, pastor, will officiate. A graveside Service will be held on Thursday at 3 p.m. in the Glenwood Cemetery in Troy, Pa. George Ogden, minister of the Sylvania Church of Christ, will officiate.
Donations in the memory of Dale may be sent to the Truthville Christian Academy, Student Tuition Fund, P.O. Box 157, North Granville, N.Y. 12854.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Roberts-Aubin Funeral Home in Poultney.