1950-2026
Beverly J. “B.J.” Dalke, 75, of Bellefontaine, passed away Tuesday morning, March 17, 2026, at St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima.
B.J. was born in Dayton, Ohio, on July 4, 1950, to William L. and the late Nancy Ann (Hanauer) Dearwester. She married David Gene Dalke on April 25, 1986, in Oklahoma, and he preceded her in death on April 2, 1990. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Linda Cronin.
B.J. is survived by her children: Nancy (Ben) Kave of Rushsylvania, and David Dalke of Ft. Campbell, Kentucky; 4 grandchildren: Mavrick Harris, Addisyn (Hung) Nguyen, Wyatt Dalke, and Haiden Dalke; 2 great-grandchildren: twins Genesis and Azrael Nguyen; her father Wiliam L. Dearwester of Bellefontaine; a sister Donna (Jeffrey) True of Bellefontaine; 2 step-daughters: Michelle (Jeff) Hewett of Texas, and Doris (Steve) Crawford of Oklahoma; and several nieces and nephews.
B.J. worked in retail sales at Walmart for 24 years. An avid fisherman, she loved to work in her yard and really loved sunflowers. B.J. was passionate about Native American Indians and their rights, and collecting Trail of Tears memorabilia. She also enjoyed spending time with her cat Cotton. B.J. was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. Most of all, B.J. treasured the time she spent with her family and grandchildren.
Minister Blake Kenner will officiate B.J.’s funeral service on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 7 pm at Eichholtz & Daring Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, where the family will receive friends prior to the service from 4-7 pm. She will be interred at Calvary Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852.
EICHHOLTZ & DARING FUNERAL HOME & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, is honored to serve the Dalke family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.eichholtzdaring.com
