In Memory of Carolyn L. Dalton

Obituary

Carolyn L. Dalton, long time resident of Barneveld, NY, passed away August 3, 2025 at the age of 93 after a full and varied life.

Carolyn was born and raised in Adel, Iowa, where she attended elementary school in a one-room school house. She graduated Salutatorian from Adel High School in 1950. Her time at school was filled with music, cheerleading, 4H awards, church, Girl’s State and even a pageant. After school, she loved working on the family farm with her Dad and mastering sewing lessons from her Mom.

After high school, Carolyn was hired as a typist by the Chicago FBI Field Office. She earned promotion to teletypist which required a security clearance as she was the first person in the Chicago FBI Field Office to view incoming teletype communications from J. Edgar Hoover.

In 1952, Carolyn married FBI Special Agent William Dalton. Their first son, Mark Dalton, was born a few years later, followed by Kimberly, Kurt, Penny and Kelly Dalton. In 1959, the family moved to Oneida County, NY, eventually settling in Barneveld.

Once her children were all enrolled in school, Carolyn began her studies at then Utica College (now University) where she earned duplicate degrees in Public Address and Psychology. In 1975, she earned a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Colgate University.

Carolyn enjoyed many years working at Oneida National Bank and Utica National Insurance. She retired as Vice President for Human Resources from Utica National Insurance in 1991. She was the company’s first female Vice President.

In 1979, she married Colonel Solomon Bamel, DO, US Air Force, further expanding her family to include Arthur, Jerrold and Jody Bamel.

Carolyn and Sol became world travelers in retirement. Among their destinations were the Holy Land, Alaska, Hawaii, Scotland, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Since 1959, Carolyn was an active member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Utica. Her service to the church community was varied and included singing in the choir, leading the children’s choir, directing Christmas Pageants, Women’s Group membership, representing the church in American Baptist Conventions, serving on the Board and eventually serving as Church Historian.

Carolyn served on numerous Community Boards, including Utica College, YWCA and Samaritan Counseling Center, earning the title of “Woman of the Year” in 1983.

Her large and growing family includes her 9 great-grandchildren, 17 grandchildren and their spouses, and her children and their spouses: Arthur and Fran Bamel, Jerrold Bamel and Jessie Tan, Jody Bamel, Mark and Mary Dalton, William and Kimberly Ferris, Kurt Dalton, Michael and Penny Hite and Robert and Kelly Colangelo.

Carolyn is also survived by her sister, Shirley Gibson. Carolyn was predeceased by her husband, Solomon Bamer, brother, Bill Wilcox and his wife, Irene, her sister Charlotte
Dueland and her husband, Richard, and her parents Olive and Russell Wilcox.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church, corner of Hopper and King Streets in Utica or to the Carolyn L. Dalton Scholarship Fund
at Utica University.

A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday, August 6 at 11 AM at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Utica.

Online messages of sympathy may be left at: www.fwefh.com

Arrangements are in the care of Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, New Hartford.