Condolences

• 09/03/2024

  Tom Lahr

  My condolences to Gary's family. Always enjoyed working with Gary at WOSU. He was friendly and easy to work with. It was always fun to see him try the hottest peppers he could get his hands on.

• 09/03/2024

  Kristen Copeland

  I was so sad to hear of Gary's passing today.He was one of the kindest and most gentle people I've ever known.He and I had reconnected awhile back and had many good talks since then.He was a good listener.He told me many stories about his cats and all the animals that came to his yard.He even introduced me to Monster Bash last summer.It was truly my privilege to have been his friend.

• 09/03/2024

  Chuck Oney

  Sadly I cannot attend the services due to work commitments. But I'm gonna miss your laugh Gary & your great sense of humor. We had many talks about music, KISS, The Beatles & Steelers!! Rest Easy My friend, say Hello to John & George for me.

• 09/03/2024

  Gary Barstow

  It's impossible to sum up Gary's life in a few short lines, and words cannot justify the sadness I feel for his loss. However, I am greatful to have known Gary, and to have been able to call him my friend. I met Gary while in college at Ohio University, in Athens, in 1984. I helped him move into his apartment, and we became instant friends. Gary was always appreciative of the little things in life, and never asked for anything in return. He was kind, compassionate, and loved his family and his pets. I remember how fond he was of his beagle, "Rocky", and how sad he was when he passed away. He loved his family, music, baseball, football, old horror movies, the Three Stooges, and writing. He had aspirations of writing a popular television script and was always looking for new ideas. While in Athens, Gary and I had the opportunity to meet, "The Ramones", back in early 1984. They provided us with backstage passes to theri show in Athens, and also gave us tickets and backstage passes to their show in Columbus. It was because of our love for baseball, and good conversation that we struck a friendship with John Cummings, a.k.a. "Johnny Ramone". I remember Gary and I talking to John until midnight, about everything under the sun, and having a wonderful time. While at Ohio University, I had a girlfriend who said that she knew someone, with whom she thought would be compatable with Gary. I told her that I wasn't sure, and that blind dates were usually disasterous, but we that we could give it a try. That girl's name was, Madeline, and she and Gary were happily married for 25 years. My girlfriend became my wife, Patsy, and we have been married for almost 27 years and have three wonderful children. Even though our families drifted apart because of commitments over the years, I have always had a special place in my heart for Gary, his mother, and Madeline. Gary and I had many simil

• 09/03/2024

  Maureen

  Gary was my husband's "brother" and my friend. I loved his laugh and quirky sense of humor and creativity. He had so many plans. During our last visit, he cuddled Beagle puppies and considered adopting. I will not enjoy the next Monster Bash without him.

• 09/03/2024

  sandie (leas)richey

  to gary's family, when i read this notice i thought right away i knew gary from pottery addition.i also l alsogrew up in pottery, i rember your family quite well and i do remember gary. i am so sorry to read of his passing and i really do know what you are going through as i lost my brother in a house fire. and his name was alos gary leas. my prayers and thoughts go out to your family and i will light a candle at church tonight im memory of gary. it sounds like he had a wonderful wife and lead a wonderful life. in prayers and friendship

• 09/03/2024

  Mary Smith

  My deepest sympathy to Dorothy and Michelle, I was sadden to read that Gary passed away suddenly. I will keep you both in my prayers during this difficult time.

• 09/03/2024

  Mark Lynskey

  Mrs. Dile - The flood of memories of growing up in PA with Gary would fill a book. The fort he and Mr. Dile built in back of your house, making a zombie movie as young teenagers, Gary riding around on his unique bicycle, building go-carts, dressing as vampires and carrying Gary around in a wooden coffin on Hallowe'en night, that mangie cat he argued with you about adopting, and on and on. I am thankful for having Gary as a friend growing up. We all made each other what we later became in life. Oh, the stories we could tell! I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. I will mourn Gary passing, but I will always celebrate his life. Blessings to you.

• 09/03/2024

  Karen Frantz Teaff

  I am so saddened to learn of Gary's passing. It's been a long time since high school, but I still remember his kindness. My deepest sympathy to Gary's family and friends.

• 09/03/2024

  John Vermillion

  So very sorry that We are unable to attend. Although I can't say I knew Gary all that well, I know that He was "the love of Your life" Madalyn. Jacquie and I will have You in our hearts.

• 09/03/2024

  Jacquie Vermillion

  So sorry about Gary. I remember the holiday parties at your house and ours; Gary using the chain saw to cut down our Chrtistmas trees; his love of the three stooges. We can never replace your Gary, but we are here for you. Love you.

• 09/03/2024

  Stacia Hentz

  What a lovely piece written about Gary, you really get a sense of what he was about. I always enjoyed our political conversations, they were lively! I think he loved Disney as much as I do, and he use to go through that website he found alerting fans to all the Disney problems in the parks to let me know the latest discovery. He will be missed, especially that laugh. May you find comfort with family, friends and the Lord during this time. Stacia Hentz

• 09/03/2024

  Charlotte (Charlie) Matthews

  Dear Madelyn, So sorry to hear about Gary; he was a good friend an co-worker. He will be greatly missed. We will keep you in our prayers. Sincerly, Charlotte (Charlie) Matthews

• 09/03/2024

  Valerie Lippert Humphrey

  My deepest regrets to Gary's family. He will surely by missed by a great number of people. Thirty-five years ago we built a cabin in his backyard and named it the Psychadelic Shack. It had two levels and was painted with every color of free paint we could find. We were proud of that little cabin. Gary made it a grand adventure from beginning to end, and I'm happy to have shared that summer in his company. My sincere regrets to all of you closest to him.

• 09/03/2024

  Shirl Morgart White/Shirley Morgart Aldridge

  Dear Madelyn and Jean, My mother and I are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Gary's passing. We will be there Friday in spirit and pray that God will give you strength to face the coming days and peace savoring your sweet memories of Gary. I have many fond memories of outside play with Gary and Johnny McMullen in Pottery Addition when we were very young, eating corn on the cob w/ black pepper on the front porch when he lived on the corner of Joyce Ave. and the alley, and later when the Diles lived across the street from us on Joyce Ave. He was a sweet and gentle mellow soul. Jean, you are my mother's dearest friend. She loves you very much and her heart aches for you. Distance and age prevent her from being there with you. She would love to be there and just hold your hand and listen like you have done so many times for her. Your friendship has endured many sad times and happy times. The faith that each of you have in God has sustained you both and will continue to do so. Madelyn,I am especially happy that I got to see you and Gary when my mother was visiting Ohio almost 2 years ago. I never would have thought that that would be the last time that I would see him. Thank you for being a loving wife and supporting daughter-in-law to our dear friends.

• 09/03/2024

  Joseph Emory Maxim

  The Maxims (Joseph Emory, Joseph Byron and Thomas Clifton) are offering sincere condolences, comfort and peace in the heart to all those who knew Gary Lee Dile. We will miss him and wish for His Soul to spend eternity in total harmony with the Universe. May God Bless His Soul!

• 09/03/2024

  William R. Knight

  I like many was shocked to hear that Gary's life was cut so short. What an intellegent, incredibly talented individual he was. I was fortunate enough to have played in a couple local rock bands with Gary, when we grew up together in Pottery Additon. Gary was not just a friend, he was the friend to have. Many could learn from his ever glowing smile and great humor. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. To his family, I'm here for you should need anything. My deepest sympathies are with you at this time of grieving. May GOD Bless you all! Gary, rest in peace my friend. Rusty

• 09/03/2024

  Mike Meadows

  My condolences to Gary's family. Gary was such a good man. I used to love hanging with him at work, eating some Steubenville Pizza and talking old school Steubenville. I will always consider him part of the WOSU family. May you find peace in this difficult time.

• 09/03/2024

  Terry Stead

  �Parting is all we know of heaven, and all we need of hell.� ~ Emily Dickinson My heart goes out to Madelyn and Jean. Gary was blessed to have them both in his life. As we who knew Gary were blessed to have him as a friend or relative. Gary was my best friend. I called him, my brother from another mother. Of all the loss I've experienced, of love and life thus far, I am gutted by this more than all the rest combined. Many of my interests and hobbies were shared by Gary - old sci fi and horror movies, old movies of other genres, classic TV shows of the '50s, '60s & '70s, pets, esp. cats and dogs, the outdoors - nature and camping, nighttime fireside socializing, guns and knives, swap meets, science and technology and the history of both, human nature and the human condition, language and grammar, will constantly bring him to mind on a daily basis. The image for the month of March on my Hammer Glamour calendar on the door in the living room has Christopher Lee as Dracula putting the bite on Veronica Carlson in Dracula Has Risen From The Grave. One of the humorous images we (my wife, Maureen and I) Photoshopped and e-mailed Gary was him as the Chris Lee Dracula. Monster Bash will never ever be the same. I know that at some point I'll quit weeping. That this heaviness in my heart will lighten. That life is seldom fair, but know as well that, just because when life isn�t fair that it doesn�t mean that it doesn�t suck when someone that means the world to you is taken away much too soon. I love you, Gary. I�ll miss your laugh most of all.

• 09/03/2024

  George A. Borden

  Dear Madelyn and Jean, I am truly sorry to hear about Gary passing. He was the best, a true friend. Gary was also a class act! I will always recall fondly our visits and discussions ranging from Politics, Rock -n- Roll and of course The 3 Stooges! I met him many years ago and we always made it a point to stay in touch. I'm a richer man for the experience, even though today our loss makes us a bit poorer.....God Bless You Gary!

• 09/03/2024

  Charlotte (Byers) Bishop

  I was saddened today to learn of Gary's unexpected passing. I have fond memories of our teen years & youth group at the First Baptist Church in Steubenville. Such a nice person & gentle soul.