Dale Edward Epple

Dale Edward Epple, age 81, of Euclid, Ohio, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026, while surrounded by family.

He is survived by his wife of 5 years, Salome (née Stewart). He and his former spouse, Evelin Bryant-Epple (née Bryant) had children, Edward C. (Dawn (née Ingram)) and Irene K.; grandchildren, Ethan, and Alison; sister, Dorothy Zofka (née Epple) and a host of loving relatives.

He is preceded in death by his child, Angel; and his parents, Edward C. and Irene (née Skeel)).

Born on May 18, 1944, he attended John Marshall High School as well as Oehloff United Methodist Church (UMC). Dale completed his Bachelor of Arts in 1968 at Baldwin Wallace College and felt a call to ministry. He served as a Youth Pastor/ Director in Liberia, West Africa where he met and married his first wife, Evelin Bryant-Epple. He earned his Master of Divinity in Church Administration and Counseling from Methodist Theological School (METHESCO). He was ordained in the East Ohio Conference of the UMC, serving several parishes including Epworth & Hopedale, Gambier, East Glennville, Adena, Harrisville & Georgetown churches.

He returned to the mission field in Sierra Leone, West Africa, with his wife and two children. He planted seven new churches, created a self-sustaining church school hybrid, provided Theological Training by Extension (TEE), introduced several medical, dental and eye work teams to the region to provide essential care, and brought exciting evangelism to the lost.

On return to the United States, Dale resumed his appointment in the East Ohio Conference of the UMC. Here he ministered to and provided pastoral care and counseling to New Haven, Faith (Cleveland), Cambridge, Somerton (Circle of Friends- 5 Point Charge),Winona, Rock Creek, Lorain, Willard, and Mogadore churches. In retirement, Dale frequented Celebration as well as East Shore (Euclid) churches and met his second wife, Salome.

Dale took genuine interest in others, enjoyed gardening, tinkering, cooking, singing,and spending time in nature. He had excitement for and belief in the one true living God.

He had a ready smile and a twinkle in his eye, ready to see the joy, playfulness, and humor in situations that could disarm the faint of heart. He had a warm heart, deep with feeling, ready to counsel the troubled, the sick, or his children with unwavering attention. He cared deeply for people in the throes of the human condition, giving them hope, offering them faith as well as a hand up. He provided unwavering consistency in a way that was an example to those around him.

He was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia and required memory care.

Visitation will be held at the Baker Kensinger Funeral Home on Friday June 5 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. and a Memorial Service will be held on Saturday June 6 at 11:00 at the United Methodist Church of Berea.  

A live-stream of the service will be available at https://www.facebook.com/UMCBEREA/live.  The service can also be viewed following its completion at https://www.facebook.com/UMCBEREA/videos. (No Facebook account required.)

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