Dale William Nirode, 83, of New London, passed away Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at The Rehabilitation and Nursing Center At Firelands, New London surrounded by his family. Born April 13, 1926 in Funk, Ohio, son of the late Nettie S. (Jennings) and Chester Nirode. He attended Rural Schools (Wilderness) and (Yankeetown), Plain Township in Wayne County up to Eighth Grade. Dale graduated from Wooster High School in 1944. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp. as a turret gunner from 1944 until 1946. After the service he joined his father in the family business of 'Custom Farming' he also worked for several months at Soya Processing in Wooster. In 1950 Dale attended The College of Wooster to pursue pre-optometry. In 1952 he began at The Ohio State University, where he graduated in 1955 with his Doctorate Degree in Optometry. He began working for Dr. Max Jacobs in Warren, Ohio until 1956 when he purchased the office of Dr. Richard Beck in Mansfield. In 1958 he moved his wife and son to New London where he practiced optometry until his retirement in December of 2001. Dale had been an active member of the New London community. He was a member of the New London United Methodist Church, serving as lay leader and member of the Win-Wunners Sunday School Class. He was a charter member of The United Methodist Men and served as President of the District Methodist Men for 4 years. He had also served on the East Ohio Conference Board of Discipleship for 2 years. He was in the New London Rotary Club where he served faithfully as President in 1967, Chairman of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program from 1974 through 2000. He was honored to be selected as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club. He served on the New London Library Board from 1974 until 2001. Dale volunteered as timekeeper for the High School Football games from 1972 until 2000. He was also boys basketball scorekeeper from 1980 until 2000. He was a 50 year member of the Grange. Dale leaves a legacy of volunteer service to his community. He is survived by his wife, Bernice (Snyder) Nirode, whom he married September 3, 1950; his children, David C. (Susan) Nirode of Mansfield, Lisa L. Nirode of Perrysburg, Gordon D. Nirode and his fianc', Evelyn Pletsch of Pickerington, Nancy (Larry) Shepard of Pataskala; 4 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren. Friends may call from 2'4 and 6'8 p.m. Friday, October 16, 2009 at the Eastman Funeral Home, 200 West Main St., New London. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the Fairview United Methodist Church, 6060 Newkirk Rd., Shreve, Ohio with visitation beginning at the church at Noon. Burial will follow at the Fairview Cemetery. Memorials if desired may be given to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, Ohio 44870 or to the New London Public Library, 67 South Main St., New London, Ohio 44851.