Dale J. Blackledge, a volunteer since 1965 in the racing office at the Delaware, Ohio County Fair, passed away Saturday, April 4. Blackledge, 70, was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

He worked behind the counter in the Log Cabin. He took race entries and also balanced the entries at the conclusion of racing at the fair.

"He was a high school buddy and a dear friend growing up,” said Tom Thomson, director of racing and president-treasurer of the Little Brown Jug Society. “He always worked so hard as a volunteer for the county fair. He was so helpful and friendly to everyone. We’ve stayed close all these years,” added Thomson.

He was a graduate of Willis High School in Delaware, Ohio, received a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio State University in 1964, and received a Master’s degree in Agricultural Science from OSU in 1974. Blackledge spent a lifetime teaching children and young adults as the Licking County 4-H extension agent.

He is survived by two sons, two grandchildren and one brother.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, at the Heath United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Marlborough Cemetery, Delaware, Ohio.

Friends may call from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at the Heath Chapel of Henderson-Van Atta-Stickle Funeral Home in Heath, and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service on Wednesday at the church.

(Little Brown Jug)