Dale Emerson Sotzing, age 78, of Casstown, Ohio, died Thursday, June 20, 2024, at Upper Valley Medical Center. Dale was born on April 11, 1946, in Troy, Ohio to the late Harold and Dorthabel Sotzing.

Dale married his Miami East High School sweetheart, Fonda Sotzing, on August 21, 1964, and they had five children over the following 18 years. Throughout Dale's life, he was an avid farmer, a skilled welder,  and a classic automobile restorer.

Dale was a co-founding partner in D&D Classic Auto Restoration in Covington, OH, which opened in 1985 and continues to operate. He strained with the thought of retiring from the business he prized, and continued to work full-time, until January of this year, after 39 years.

Beyond his extraordinary work ethic, he was the foundation of his family. His immense strength, dependability, and devotion to his family was unmatched. He will forever be remembered  as "the rock" of his family.

When Dale was not working, you could find him attending Miami East basketball games, his grand-children's school and sports events, mowing the grass, dining at his favorite local spots, going to tractor pulls, or watching sports or TV in his chair (which often involved his eyes being closed).

Dale is survived by his wife, Fonda (Morgan) Sotzing; his children, Michael (Jill) Sotzing, of Casstown, OH;  Kimberly (Scott) Donaldson, of Fletcher, OH; Misha Girard, and her partner Jonathan Hipsher, of Centerville; Erika Vogel, and Fiancé Michael Lang, of Casstown, OH; his 11 grand-children, Tiffany (Brandon) Hasty; Chelsea (Tim McVety); Kayla Gingrey; Roderick Sotzing; Derek Noe (Diamond McNiel); Kyle (Haley) Noe; Braxton (Alayna) Donaldson; Griffin Girard; Jesse Girard; Colton Vogel; Calvin Vogel; and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold & Dorthabel (Schilling) Sotzing, his daughter and son-in-law Suzanne and Christopher Gingrey; and his brother Kenneth Sotzing.

Please join the family to remember and honor Dale's life and legacy. The service will be held at 1:00 PM on  Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at Baird Funeral Home, Troy, OH, with Pastor Dale Adkins officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in St. Paris, OH. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, prior to the service.

To honor Dale's Viking basketball pride and skilled trade schooling, memorial contributions may be made to the Dale Sotzing - Miami East Viking Basketball–Trade School Scholarship. Donations can be made out to "The Troy Foundation" (216 W. Franklin Street, Troy, OH 45373). Please include "Dale Sotzing Scholarship" in the memo line. Online donations can be made through the Troy Foundation link: https://ttf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=2683 .

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bairdfuneralhome.com.

Dale & Fonda Sotzing-Miami East Viking Basketball-Trade School Scholarship C/O Troy Foundation
216 West Franklin Street, Troy OH 45373
Web: https://ttf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=2683

Checks made out to the Troy Foundation with "Dale & Fonda Sotzing Scholarship" in the memo.