Dale Arlyne Turner Hunsinger           April 26, 1948 – November 3, 2026

AUSTIN, PA—Dale Arlyne Turner Hunsinger, 78, of Austin, passed away Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at UPMC Cole in Coudersport after an extended illness, with her cherished family by her side.

Dale was born April 26, 1948, in Coudersport, the daughter of the late Willis and Ruth Hooftallen Turner. She attended Austin Area School, graduating in 1966. On June 24, 1967, she married Jerry Hunsinger in the Austin United Methodist Church.

After working at Sylvania and at Emporium Specialties Co., where her mother also worked for 25 years, Dale stayed home to raise her children, Aarron and Ashley. She later cared for children in her home for 17 years, helping raise many of the Austin area’s kids and loving every one of them as her own. She was a member of the former Austin United Methodist Church and was a member and past president of the Austin Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

In October 2000, Dale gave her sister Phyllis one of her kidneys – a selfless gift of love that gave Phyllis 25 more years of life.

When her mother, Ruth, spent her final years in long-term care at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Dale and her sister Peggy visited several times a week and soon became adopted “room daughters” to many of the other residents. After Ruth passed, Dale kept going. She called bingo, snuck in treats (not always the healthiest), and showed up with little luxuries like sweet-smelling body wash so her friends could feel pampered. When long-term care at Charles Cole closed, Dale followed her friends to Sweden Valley Manor and kept right on spreading cheer.

A lifelong resident of Austin, Dale grew up in the very house she and Jerry bought from her father four years after they married. She took great pride in that home and taught her children to care for and appreciate everything they had. Her lawn was meticulous, never a blade of grass or a flower out of place, and her landscaping was admired by all who passed by. In fact, Jerry was never allowed to touch any part of the yard that people could see. Her green thumb lives on in her son, Aarron. She also loved decorating for every holiday, no matter the occasion. With blow molds, lights and yard decorations at every turn, her house could always be counted on to be lit up and celebrating, a tradition her daughter, Ashley, proudly carries on.

Dale is survived by her husband of 59 years, Jerry; her son, Aarron Hunsinger, and his husband, Christian Maher, of Meadville; her daughter, Ashley Schneider, and her husband, Curtis, of Muncy; her grandchildren, Greyson Lee Kerstetter, Lukas James Kerstetter, Corbin Schneider and Dennis Schneider; her sister, Peggy Dow; her brother-in-law, Donald Hunsinger; her nieces, Jennifer (Bill) Betts, Deanna (Benjamin) Brent, Kimberly (Dennis) Cooney, Laura Dow, Tracey Dow, Judith (Gerald) Meyers and Holly (Nick) Modock; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; her eight beloved granddogs; and her faithful lap companion, Rizzo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willis and Ruth; her sister, Phyllis Dow; her brothers-in-law, Douglas Dow and Duane Dow; and her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Hunsinger.

Family and friends may gather from 10am to 11am on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Austin Fire Hall.  A celebration of life will follow promptly at 11am. Her cousin, Penny Bennett, and Pastor Donald Caskey, will lead a time of remembrance, with an opportunity for others to share their memories. A luncheon and a time to fellowship will follow. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Austin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Austin Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Association, PO Box 328, Austin, PA 16720.

Dale’s family has entrusted her care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Dale, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.