Dale F. Zwickl, 81, a longtime resident of Hutchinson, Kan., died after a short battle with cancer on July 29, 2012, at Hutchinson Industrial Supply with his loving family. He was born Jan. 19, 1931, in Herndon, Kan., the son of Sebastian and Gertrude Schmitt Zwickl.

He lived at the St. Joseph's Orphanage Academy, Abilene, and graduated from Herndon High School in 1950. He was married to Maurine Jewell Sprouse Clark on June 22, 1952, at the St. Teresa's Rectory, Hutchinson. Maurine died Dec. 12, 2000. Dale retired from Cessna Eaton in 1991. He attended Holy Cross Catholic Church. He was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Dale enjoyed all athletic events, especially at Hutchinson High, Trinity, and Hutchinson Community College, having attended the NJCAA since 1953. After being a catcher for many years, he coached many local softball teams.

He is survived by: daughter, Suzanne and her husband Randall Puls; son, Donald Zwickl; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, all of Hutchinson; a sister, Angela Paul of Clackamas, Ore.; many nieces and nephews; and many friends. He was preceded in death by: his brothers, Gilbert and Harry; and sister, Lillian Freeman. The family wishes to thank all their angels at Hospice Care of Kansas for their loving care. Though his soul is with the Lord, his body and tissue was donated for anatomical research through the KCUMC and Mayo for Cholangiocarcinoma research.

Cremation is planned. Parish Rosary will be 10:30 a.m. with memorial Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Father Joseph Eckberg officiating. Celebration of Life will be at 1 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene, please wear you favorite sports team attire. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the "HCC Dale Zwickl Memorial Basketball Scholarship" Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 North Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. Please send memories or stories to share at www.elliottmortuary.com.