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Carl "Dale" Searls
Obituary
Carl “Dale” Searls (86) of Norwalk, passed away August 31, 2024 at Norwalk Memorial Home after a short illness. Dale was born August 28, 1938 in Norwalk, Ohio to the late Carl and Dorotha (Fulton) Searls. He grew up in Olena and spent his youth tinkering with cars, guns, and anything else mechanical. Dale graduated from Norwalk High School in 1956. He married the love of his life, Suzanne Frizzell, on September 6, 1958.
Dale served for 5 years in the Ohio National Guard/Army Reserves and was honorable discharged in 1963.
After high school, Dale went to work for Clevite-Harris in Milan, Ohio. Later he went to work for UPS as a mechanic for the Sandusky UPS location. About that time he started a little gun shop in his garage called the Powder Keg where he sold muzzle loading guns and supplies. The business was more fun than profitable and it eventually closed. After UPS, Dale’s part-time business of delivering water to rural customers became a full-time job. His last job was at Great Lakes Packing where he worked until he retired.
Dale was an active member of the Banshee Fast Draw Club and Ohio Fast Draw Association for 65 years. He was an elected officer in the Association multiple times. Dale won the Ohio men’s state championship numerous times and was a champion in several other states as well. He was still shooting competitively up until his death. Dale was also a member of the Norwalk Eagles #711.
He was preceded in death by his wife Susie in 2023, his parents, grandson, Travis Cooper, and great-granddaughter, Jaiden Raistrick.
He is survived by his 3 daughters, Dalene (Jerrold) Tiers of St. Louis, Missouri, Cynthia Howells of Norwalk, and Dawna Cooper (Brian Braden) of Wakeman.; 4 grandchildren Jason (Angela) Nickles, Steffani (Cody) Phillips, and Justin (Ashley) Cooper all of Norwalk, and Jessica Cooper of Toledo; 11 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-granddaughter; sister, Donna Waters of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was a cousin, uncle, great-uncle, and friend to many.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, October 13, 2024 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Norwalk Eagles #711, 151 Cline Street, Norwalk, Ohio. There will be a private internment at Woodlawn Cemetery at a later date. If desired, contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, Norwalk assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.walkereastmanheydingerfh.com.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, and it is with a very heavy heart that I have to announce that our OFDAI family is hurting due to the loss of an East Coast Fast Draw Legend. Dale Searls, long time Fast Draw shooter, OFDAI Hall of Famer and one of the original founding members of the Ohio Fast Draw Association, passed away this morning. Dale, along with his late wife Susie, were instrumental in bringing hundreds of shooters into the sport of Fast Draw since 1961 when the OFDA was formed. Dale will be missed tremendously as will the wealth of Fast Draw information and history that passed with him. Please keep his family, friends and Fast Draw family in your prayers during this difficult time. More information to follow. - Larry Atcheson
A Celebration Of Life for Dale Searls
When: Oct. 13, 2024 from 1-4pm
Location: Norwalk Ohio Eagles Club * 151 Cline Street * Norwalk Ohio 44857
Dale served for 5 years in the Ohio National Guard/Army Reserves and was honorable discharged in 1963.
After high school, Dale went to work for Clevite-Harris in Milan, Ohio. Later he went to work for UPS as a mechanic for the Sandusky UPS location. About that time he started a little gun shop in his garage called the Powder Keg where he sold muzzle loading guns and supplies. The business was more fun than profitable and it eventually closed. After UPS, Dale’s part-time business of delivering water to rural customers became a full-time job. His last job was at Great Lakes Packing where he worked until he retired.
Dale was an active member of the Banshee Fast Draw Club and Ohio Fast Draw Association for 65 years. He was an elected officer in the Association multiple times. Dale won the Ohio men’s state championship numerous times and was a champion in several other states as well. He was still shooting competitively up until his death. Dale was also a member of the Norwalk Eagles #711.
He was preceded in death by his wife Susie in 2023, his parents, grandson, Travis Cooper, and great-granddaughter, Jaiden Raistrick.
He is survived by his 3 daughters, Dalene (Jerrold) Tiers of St. Louis, Missouri, Cynthia Howells of Norwalk, and Dawna Cooper (Brian Braden) of Wakeman.; 4 grandchildren Jason (Angela) Nickles, Steffani (Cody) Phillips, and Justin (Ashley) Cooper all of Norwalk, and Jessica Cooper of Toledo; 11 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-granddaughter; sister, Donna Waters of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was a cousin, uncle, great-uncle, and friend to many.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, October 13, 2024 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Norwalk Eagles #711, 151 Cline Street, Norwalk, Ohio. There will be a private internment at Woodlawn Cemetery at a later date. If desired, contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, Norwalk assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.walkereastmanheydingerfh.com.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, and it is with a very heavy heart that I have to announce that our OFDAI family is hurting due to the loss of an East Coast Fast Draw Legend. Dale Searls, long time Fast Draw shooter, OFDAI Hall of Famer and one of the original founding members of the Ohio Fast Draw Association, passed away this morning. Dale, along with his late wife Susie, were instrumental in bringing hundreds of shooters into the sport of Fast Draw since 1961 when the OFDA was formed. Dale will be missed tremendously as will the wealth of Fast Draw information and history that passed with him. Please keep his family, friends and Fast Draw family in your prayers during this difficult time. More information to follow. - Larry Atcheson
A Celebration Of Life for Dale Searls
When: Oct. 13, 2024 from 1-4pm
Location: Norwalk Ohio Eagles Club * 151 Cline Street * Norwalk Ohio 44857