Dale W. Bliss, 80, of 204 Glen Mayo Rd., Johnsonburg, passed away late Monday night, January 5, 2026, at Penn Highlands-Elk, St. Marys, following a brief illness. He was born July 31, 1945, in Johnsonburg, a son to the late Verne and Esther McAninch Bliss. On October 18, 1969, in Holy Rosary Church, Johnsonburg, he married Catherine Vavala and she survives. 

A lifelong resident of Johnsonburg, Dale was a 1963 graduate of Johnsonburg Area High School. He attended the University of Maryland before enlisting in the US Army. He was a member of Holy Rosary Church and the Johnsonburg Senior Center. 

Dale loved his children and was the ultimate Girl Dad. He was so proud of all their accomplishments. He also adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and never missed any of their events. He was an avid sports fan of all the Pittsburgh Sports teams and all things Johnsonburg. Dale was an excellent baseball player from age 9 thru high school and was known for being a great pitcher. He loved to play golf, especially his Tuesday Golf Games with Steve, Jude and Paul and he enjoyed playing cards at the senior center. 

A Vietnam Era Army Vet, Dale served overseas as an SP6 with HQ and Service CO U S Army Support Activity Edison out of Ft. Dix, NJ

Dale retired from Willamette Industries – Johnsonburg Mill in 2008 after 25 years of service as a payroll specialist.

In addition to his wife, Catherine, at home, Dale is survived by his daughters, Sara Jones of Titusville, Corine Christoff of Wilcox, and Greta Nemergut (Christopher) of Glarus, WI,   his grandchildren Calvin Christoff (Allison), Eric Christoff, Molly Christoff (Cody Duchi), Abigail Nemergut and Carter Nemergut and his great-grandchildren Indie, Evie and Claire. 

He is also survived by a sister, Mary Gasbarre of Johnsonburg, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by brothers John, Donald, Verne, Charles, Dave, Ernie, and Harry Bliss and sisters Dorothy Olewinski, Shirley Bliss, and Martha Bliss. 

Friends and family are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be conducted at Holy Rosary Church, Johnsonburg, on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 10:30 AM with Fr. David Wilson, Pastor, as celebrant. Interment will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery.

Friends will be received at the Anthony F. Ferragine Funeral Home and Cremation Services Chapel, 401 Chestnut Street, Johnsonburg on Saturday morning from 9AM until we depart for 10:30 Mass.  

Military honors will be accorded by the Johnsonburg-Wilcox-Ridgway Servicemen’s Detail. Detail members are asked to assemble at the funeral home, Saturday morning at 9:45 AM. 

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