Dale E. Weed

The Weed family mourns the loss and celebrates the remarkable life of Dale Evan Weed, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Retired Pastor, Lifelong Entrepreneur, and Founder of Pure Functional Foods. Dale, age 73, entered into eternity and joyfully experienced the embrace of his loving Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 14th at 10:25 p.m., after an eleven-week battle with complications from a pancreatic biopsy on September 26th. He passed away at Upstate Medical Hospital surrounded by loved ones. 

Dale was born on April 19, 1952, in Auburn, NY, to Leland and Lois Weed (Downs). He grew up beside New Hope Mills, where he developed a strong work ethic, honesty, courage, and resilience—qualities shaped by watching his Father overcome multiple life-threatening accidents and faithfully return to the mill. Dale graduated from Moravia Central School, continued his studies at Cayuga Community College, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Lynchburg Baptist College (now Liberty University). He was ordained into the ministry in 1977 and was certified in Practical Milling in 1984. He was an Eagle Scout.

 Pastoral ministry was one of Dale’s deepest callings. He loved studying Scripture and sharing its truths in a way that encouraged people toward love, hope, and godliness. He pastored Sempronius Baptist Church from 1976 to 1989 while working full-time at New Hope Mills. Later, he founded New Hope Bible Fellowship, serving faithfully as its senior pastor until 2008. His steady leadership, compassion, and devotion to the Gospel left a lasting impact on many lives. Dale was also a lifelong businessman and innovator. Alongside his brother David, he purchased New Hope Mills from their father and led it in partnership until David’s passing in 2001. He loved giving visitors tours of historical New Hope Mills. Dale continued to run the company until 2013, when he joyfully transitioned ownership to his son Douglas, marking the beginning of the third generation of family leadership. 

Never one to retire from creativity, Dale later founded Pure Functional Foods with his sons Dean and Dana and eventually his son-in-law Edward. He enjoyed formulating new mixes, experimenting with milling techniques, finding ways to make the impossible into reality, and inspiring others to pursue their God-given potential. Dale was also an active member of SPOOM (Society for the Preservation of Old Mills), serving at different times as President, Vice President, and Treasurer of the Northeast Chapter. Dale loved the game of basketball throughout his life. He helped found, operate, and coach the New Hope Warriors homeschool basketball team from 1994 to 2003, with a trip to the National Tournament in 1997, and multiple New York State Championship Teams during those years with his sons. He organized community gym nights for many years and always shared the Gospel with those that came to play ball.

Over the years, Dale loved to give people tours of the mill in New Hope, much like his Father Leland did. He also loved to talk with people about the treasures and abundance to be found in the world around us, and most of all in the Bible. He was a natural-born leader who would share words of encouragement and inspiration in conversation whenever he could.  He would often say, 'There is always a solution' and 'You are not dreaming big enough.'  At home, he enjoyed watching basketball, Gold Rush, and following Fox News. He loved the beauty of God's Creation, especially the flowers that he would gather and share with his wife, fellow churchgoers, and employees.  He enjoyed music and dabbled in playing several instruments throughout his life, but he was most proficient at 'playing the radio. ‘Though his final “retirement” came far sooner than any of us were ready for, Dale’s strength, faith, humor, and vision shaped everyone around him. His legacy will live on in the lives he touched, the ministries he built, and the family he cherished. 

Dale is survived by his wife of 53 years, Janice Weed (Reynolds), and their six children: Donna (Paul) Baran, Dean (Elizabeth) Weed, Doug (Sara) Weed, Dana (Mamie) Weed, Duane (Jackie) Weed, and Dawn (Edward Jr.) Korbel, 25 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Linette (George) Glover and Loretta Weed, his mother-in-law Marian Reynolds, along with additional in-laws, nieces, nephews, and extended family members. He was predeceased by his parents, Leland and Lois Downs Weed, his brothers Donald and David Weed, and his infant grandson Daymyn Ao Weed. 

Because Dale spent his life sharing the hope of Jesus, his family desires to pass along the message he cared about most. Dale would want nothing more than for his passing to point others toward the Savior he loved and served throughout his life. 

The Bible teaches that God created every person and loves each of us deeply. However, all of us have done wrong things—what the Bible calls sin—and those sins separate us from God, and leave us needing His forgiveness. God made a way for us to be restored to Him. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect life and willingly died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. Jesus rose from the dead, offering forgiveness, new life, and a restored relationship with God to anyone who believes. To begin a relationship with Jesus, a person must recognize their need for God’s forgiveness, believe that Jesus died and rose again, and turn their heart toward God, choosing to let Him lead and change their life. Salvation is received by asking Jesus to forgive your sins and come into your life. Here is a simple prayer that may be spoken from the heart: “Jesus, I know I have sinned, and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You died for me and rose again. Today, I turn to You and ask You to come into my life. Please forgive me for my sins, make me new, and help me follow You from this day forward. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus name, amen.” 

Those who desire to learn more about salvation or what it means to follow Jesus may visit https://www.gotquestions.org/plan-of-salvation.html - https://harvest.org/know-god/ or connect with a Christ-centered, Bible-believing church in their local area. 

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, January 10th, at Grace Christian Fellowship, 1250 Fisher Ave, Cortland, NY 13045. Calling hours at 11 am, service at 1 pm, fellowship meal to follow.

In lieu of flowers. please make a donation in memory of Dale to Gideons International to provide Bibles and spread the Gospel around the world. https://gideons.org/donate

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