History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

Our History

Our History

The Wanzo Funeral Home was established in 1912, by Mr. Elvin B. Wanzo. It was the first Black funeral home in Toledo. The first location was 1412   Monroe Street, the second 1303 Washington Street and the  third  1210 Washington Street. Finally, in 1937 he purchased 572 Nebraska Avenue from the Foth Funeral Home.  Mr. Wanzo was a pioneer as a Black businessman in Toledo , OH.  He established and maintained an ethical and well respected business over the years of his direction.  His records, reflecting the families that he served from 1912 through his sale to Mr and Mrs.. Dale, remain a treasure of the funeral home. The E.B.Wanzo Funeral Home was purchased by Clarence and Genevieve Dale in 1946. They  continued the legacy of Mr. Elvin Wanzo and established their own  reputation for ethical, quality and compassionate funeral services.  The C.J. Dale Funeral Home, which evolved into the Dale Funeral Home Inc has provided  funeral services of the highest standard in the city of Toledo.  It became one of Toledo’s most prominent Black businesses.

After many years of dedicated service to the Toledo community, Mr. Clarence Dale and his wife Mrs. Genevieve Dale wanted to semi-retire and leave their life’s work in the hands of someone who would honor their legacy. Following a national search, Mr. and Mrs. Dale completed the sale of their funeral home to a company owned by Gerald E. Wilson in June 1992. Mr. Wilson, with the Dale’s approval, recruited and hired Sheryl Riggs as the Managing Director of the funeral home. Ms. Riggs served in that capacity until her death in 2019. Following her death, Mr. Wilson was exceptionally pleased to have Ms. Kandice Saulsberry accept the leadership role of Managing Director at Dale-Riggs Funeral Home ushering in a new era. Under their leadership, Dale-Riggs Funeral Home is positioned and committed to continuing the legacy of dedicated, professional, and compassionate care of Families long into the future.

Our Valued Staff

  • Kandice Saulsberry

    Kandice Saulsberry Managing Funeral Director

    Kandice Saulsberry is our Managing Funeral Director.She is a native of Akron, Ohio where she graduated from Akron East High School. She later earned a degree in Marketing and Sales Technology from The University of Akron before matriculating at Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science earning two mortuary science degrees. She prides herself on serving with knowledge, compassion, and integrity and is always working to create memorable services for families. She is grateful for the opportunity to provide meaningful options and services to all who call upon the Dale-Riggs Funeral Home family. Kandice is a member of Buckeye State Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association serving as the Treasurer and Chair of the Funeral Directors Under 40 committee, The National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Ohio Funeral Directors Association and National Funeral Directors Association. She is a Certified Funeral Celebrant and Crematory Operator. Kandice serves the Toledo community as the Assistant Secretary and an Executive Board Member of the Toledo Branch of the N.A.A.C.P. and is a proud member of the Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. As one of the 20 recipients of the prestigious 20 Under 40 Leadership Recognition Awards for Toledo in 2022, Kandice has demonstrated her deep commitment to community service.In her "spare" time Kandice enjoys spending time with her family, attempting DIY crafts, doing puzzles, journaling, cycling, hiking, attending sporting events, watching live music and traveling.

  • Gerald E. Wilson

    Gerald E. Wilson President and Owner

    Gerald E. Wilson is the Chairman of the Board, President and Owner of Dale-Riggs Funeral Home. Gerald Wilson grew up in the inner city of Houston, Texas and attended Stanford University on a football scholarship. He holds Bachelor of Arts (honors) and Master of Arts Degrees in Economics from Stanford University and a Master of Science in Accountancy from the University of Houston. He is also a graduate of Commonwealth College of Funeral Service and a licensed Funeral Director in two states. He has been a licensed Funeral Director in Texas and California for more than 30 years. Gerald has also been a Certified Public Accountant since 1979. Prior to becoming a funeral home and cemetery owner, Gerald spent over ten years with the International Public Accounting Firm of Arthur Young and Company (now Ernst and Young) leaving as a Principal in 1986. He has served on numerous nonprofit and two university boards of directors. He has been married to his wife Marsherria, who he met in the 7th grade, for over 49 years. They have two children and two grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are founders of the Wilson Scholarship Fund which provides scholarships to first year college students.

  • Deborah  Sandridge-Hall

    Deborah Sandridge-Hall Office Manager

    Debbie is the Office Manager for The Dale-Riggs Funeral Home. Debbie is responsible for the high level of efficiency of the administrative office of the funeral home. She handles the clerical functions and assists with the clients and many crucial services. Debbie's pleasant voice is the one that many times greets you, on the telephone.

  • Douglas  Dunklin

    Douglas Dunklin Physical Plant Manager

    Douglas maintains the physical plant of the Dale Funeral Home. He also cares for the automobiles and the landscaping. He is the oldest member of the staff he joined the firm in 1984.

  • Ms. Sheryl Anderson Riggs

    Ms. Sheryl Anderson Riggs Previous Managing Director 1992-2019

    Ms. Riggs was a 1970 graduate of Western Michigan University with a degree in Social Work she went on to pursue her license as a funeral director/embalmer and graduated from Wayne State Mortuary School in 1980. Mrs. Riggs was owner and Operator of Riggs Funeral Home in Detroit, Michigan from 1984-1987 and worked for several firms in the Detroit area. Mrs. Riggs relocated to Toledo, Ohio where she held the position as Managing/Director of the Dale Funeral Home Inc. since August of 1992. She contributed tirlessly to the betterment of the Toledo Community with national and local causes. She was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Toledo Chapter of the Link's Inc., Toledo Chapter of Girlfriends, Inc. and Top Ladies of Distinction.Over the years, she was a pioneer in the area of grief counseling and initated a program in Toledo for Mother's who had lost children. She has worked with SIDS, AIDS, Homelessness and other issues facing our community. She was an advocate and supporter of the citizens of the Toledo, no matter what their endeavors.