Dale "Butch" E. Royer

Dale Edward Royer, known by many as “Butch”, 78, of Dennison, Ohio, passed away on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital in Canton, Ohio, after battling pneumonia. Born April 6, 1947 in Dennison, he was a son of the late Harold Eugene Royer and Ruby Leona (Lillibridge) Royer Chapman.

Butch was a lifelong resident of the Twin City area with the exception of the years he spent proudly serving his country in the U.S. Army. Inducted in 1966, he was honorably discharged at the rank of Specialist in 1969, having been a combat infantryman in Vietnam. He returned home to a long career as a mechanic – working for Johnsons Auto Service for many years, as well as for Valley Mining and Outlaw Tire. He was an avid fisherman, but his greatest passion was for racing. He was a driver in countless races at Midvale Speedway and also loved watching NASCAR.

On November 20, 1965, Butch married the former Judy Carol Applegarth with whom he celebrated 60 years of loving marriage the day before his passing. He is also survived by their daughters, Millie (companion, Robert Hall) Royer and Vickie (husband, Milton Newsom) Royer-Newsom; grandsons, Dylan Kramer and Shawn Royer; his brothers, Archie Royer, Alex Chapman, and John Chapman; sisters, Junie Cox and Sue Henslee; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Michael Royer; stepfather, Flemen Henry Chapman; and sister, Roberta Silverthorne.

In keeping with Butch’s wishes, cremation is planned, and his family will celebrate his life on a future date.