Dale E. Wettstein
Millville - Dale Everett Wettstein, 79 of Millville, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, after an extended illness. Dale was a proud lifelong resident of Millville and a pillar of the community. He was born on February 9, 1943, in the home of his parents, Charles and Elizabeth, in center city Millville, the fourth of five children. Dale attended Bacon Elementary School and was a proud member of the Millville High School class of 1961. He was a longtime high school football season ticket holder and supporter of the high school sports teams, the Thunderbolts.
From an early age, Dale was a hard worker, delivering papers for the Millville Daily Republican and helping customers at the Bond Store at the corner of Third and Broad Streets. He also spent frequent time at the Burcham Farm along the Maurice River. However, he discovered his true passion, photography, thanks to a business started in his neighborhood by Jim and Mary Steelman. This business would come to epitomize his future. Dale started working at Steelman Photo in 1959 at the age of 16 and began working at the business full-time two years later. After the death of Jim and Mary Steelman, Dale became the owner of Steelman Photo and incorporated custom picture framing into the business. Throughout his nearly sixty years at Steelman Photo, Dale captured the moments of hundreds of families in the business's portrait studio, at events throughout the greater Millville community, and on the playing fields of local youth sports teams. Together with his collection of thousands of old-time photos, Dale was known as the unofficial historian of Millville. Many of his historical photos have appeared in numerous books and publications.
In 1964, Dale proudly answered his country's call to duty after being drafted to serve in the United States Army. After receiving basic training at Fort Dix, he was assigned as a public information photographer at Fort McClellan, Alabama, in 1965. Later that year, Dale was assigned to the 525th Military Intelligence Group and deployed to Vietnam where he was part of a three-man photography team assigned to document combat intelligence activities. He was later assigned to the Military Assistance Command located in central Saigon. In 1966, he was awarded the Bronze Star for action above and beyond the call of duty. That same year, he was honorably discharged from the Army. After his military service, Dale became a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Post No. 82. He was a proud patriot with enormous love for his country.
At the conclusion of his service in the Army, Dale returned to Millville and began his long history of service to the community. Dale joined the Millville Jaycees in 1967 and served as the organization's President from 1969 – 1970. He later received the Jaycee Distinguished Service Award in 1976 and served as co-chair of the American Bicentennial Committee that same year. Dale was also a proud member of the Millville Fire Department since 1969, where he served as President from 2011 – 2012. He served on the Board of Directors for several community organizations including the Millville Historical Society, Millville Public Library, Millville Chamber of Commerce, Millville Business & Professional Board, and Millville Development Corporation. Throughout his life, Dale also volunteered with many other community groups including the American Red Cross, Millville Zoning Board, Millville Thunderbolt Club, Millville Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee, Millville Army Airfield Museum, and the Millville Christmas Parade. He received many awards and recognitions for his decades of community involvement. A cancer survivor, he was a supporter of the American Cancer Society and participated in the yearly Relay for Life. Dale was also a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus where he served as Grand Knight from 2011 – 2012 and Faithful Navigator from 2013 – 2014.
In 1977, Dale married Jo-Ann Donnell, a lovely young lady from Dennis Township, Cape May County. Together, they renovated and moved into a house that was a mere fifty feet from where Dale was born. There, they raised two children, Charles Joseph (CJ) and Kristine Marie (Kristi).
Dale is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jo-Ann, son Charles and his wife Nicole (nee Clements) and their son Kenneth Dale of Cedarville, daughter Kristi Garton and her husband John of Millville, sisters Joyce E. Vanaman and Joann Weatherby and her husband Richard, also of Millville, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Charles and Elizabeth (nee Thompson), sister Betty Lippincott, her husband Sumner and their son Barry, and brother Charles C. Wettstein.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the nurses, aides, and staff of Bayada who provided compassionate hospice care to Dale over the past several weeks and ensured his comfort. The empathetic services they provided were exceptional and greatly appreciated.
Funeral services are under the direction of Christy Funeral Home, 11 West Broad Street in Millville. Visitation for family, friends, and members of the community will be held at the funeral home on Monday, March 21, 2022, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Parish of All Saints – Saint Mary Magdalen Church, 621 Dock Street, Millville, New Jersey, on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery located at High & Sharp Streets immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parish of All Saints, the Millville Historical Society, or a local Millville non-profit organization.
Memories and expressions of sympathy for Dale E. Wettstein may be shared on the Obituary Tribute Wall at www.christyfuneralservice.com.
Posted online on March 17, 2022
Published in Daily Journal
