Dale Gene Widing

Dale Gene Widing, 69, passed away peacefully at home overlooking a wildlife habitat he created, with family by his side. A man of unwavering integrity, kindness, humility, and a love for nature, Dale leaves behind a legacy that will be cherished by all who knew him.
Born in Euclid, Ohio, the oldest son of the late Gene & Carole (Donovan) Widing and three surviving siblings with whom he enjoyed close relationships throughout his life. From a young age, he found joy in raising dogs, hunting, and exploring the wilderness. During high school, he spent summers at Lake Cardinal in Rome, Ohio, where he met his best friend and partner in life, Kathy (Baranek) Widing, at age 15. Her late parents, Paul & Veronica (Bednarowski) Baranek, and recently passed sister, Terri Nejman (Gerry), along with brothers Ken and Gary (Pam), soon welcomed Dale to the Baranek family. Dale and Kathy spent the next 55 years doing everything together, prioritizing religion, family, and friends while raising their four kids. As an adult, his connection to nature only deepened, and he became known as a true conservationist-spending limitless hours in the woods, teaching others to appreciate the outdoors, and passing on his knowledge of nature to those ready to listen.
Prior to transitioning to construction projects closer to the ground, Dale spent 20 years as a Union Local 17 Ironworker. In conversations, he proudly recalled working on well-known skyscrapers, power plants, and stadiums, such as the Browns and Indians in Cleveland, Ohio, as well as in other states, walking on 6-12 inch beams sometimes 600+ feet in the air. He had a remarkable gift for working with animals, particularly dogs, and was admired for his ability to understand animals in a way that few could. Whether training a hunting dog, breeding Labradors, helping a neighbor, or providing a family with a new pet, Dale was connected to many by his love of animals.
Family was central to Dale's life; he was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, great-uncle, and friend to a large family. The people in his life gravitated toward his warmth and gentle guidance. Family and pets were his pride and joy, and he spent countless hours supporting them at numerous hockey rinks, swimming pools, sports fields, and school events, whether it was a spontaneous stop at the ice cream store, a first hunt, sharing a new duck call, bringing home wounded animals to nurture back to the wild, or spending time in the backyard. Dale's love and influence on their lives were profound with many lasting memories.
Dale is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Kathy Widing; four children, Jason and Joe (Shama), their recently born granddaughter Anaya, and Tiffanie and Matthew; three siblings, Kevin (Cindy), Denise Balsiger (Ken), and Nils (Robin); one aunt, Maureen (Donovan) Detroyer (Maurice), 11 nieces and nephews, 38 grand-nieces and nephews, and a few dogs who were never far from his side.
All are invited to gather at Fellowship City Church – Orange Campus, 27250 Emery Road, Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44128 on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. for a Celebration of Dale's Life, where friends and family are invited to share stories, memories, and love. We will continue our celebration with a meal outdoors in a tented area, honoring what Dale loved most.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a tree be planted at www.onetreeplanted.org or interest aimed at Ducks Unlimited at www.ducks.org, supporting conservation efforts to ensure that future generations can experience the wetlands and wilderness he so deeply loved.
Dale's spirit will live on in the beauty of the world around us, his loving family, the animals he cared for, and the many memories of those he spent time with.
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