Dale Martin Karenbauer, age 80, of Butler, passed away Monday afternoon at VNA Inpatient Hospice.

Born in Herman on June 1, 1936, he was a son of the late Martin A. and Dorothy Steighner Karenbauer.

He was a member of Saint Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church in Herman, where he was a former altar server. He was also a former Boy Scout leader.

Dale attended Saint Mary's Grade School and was a 1954 graduate of Butler High School.

Dale authored the History of Saint Mary Church, as well as the genealogies of the Karenbauer and Kusner families.

For many years he organized the Saint Mary's Fish Fry and the Karenbauer Family Reunion.

Dale was a foreman in the Silicon Department at Butler Armco. He retired in 1993 after 30 years of service.

He was formerly employed at Clair Steighner Crane Service, Schultz Car Sales, and he also worked for 10 years at DuBrook Concrete.

Dale was a Life Member of the Herman Volunteer Fire Company and a Life Member of the R.C. Men's Club.

Dale and his wife spearheaded the Knoch High School Football Boosters program, and relished the camaraderie with long-time friends.

He was a jack-of-all-trades. He enjoyed flowers, gardening and woodworking. His specialty was cornhole games.

Dale also loved hosting many Butler Motor Transit tours for his church and friends.

His fondest memories were of the great times spent at his campsite in Sigel that was handed down from his father. Dale was also the proud owner of a silver Airstream camper.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Louise Kusner Karenbauer, whom he married June 22, 1957; one daughter, Deborah Pascazi, of Herman; five sons, Kevin Karenbauer and his wife, Pamela, of Butler, Jeffrey Karenbauer and his wife, Cathy, of Butler, Robert Karenbauer, of Butler, Terry Karenbauer and his wife, Carri, of Fenelton, and Tom Karenbauer and his wife, Jackie, of Butler.

Nineteen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and eight step-grandchildren also survive. Dale was anxiously awaiting the birth of his third great-grandchild.

Dale was the oldest child in his family and the last surviving sibling. He was preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers, Donald and Reid Karenbauer; and his sister, Joyce Reep.

Friends will be received in the Martin Funeral Home, Inc., 429 Center Avenue, Butler, on Thursday from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10 a.m. at Saint Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church.

Burial will take place in Saint Mary's Cemetery.

The family requests memorial donations to Saint Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, 821 Herman Road, Butler, PA 16002 or VNA Inpatient Hospice, 154 Hindman Road, Butler, PA 16001.