Larry Dilts

Larry Dilts, 87, of Punxsutawney, entered eternal rest, on Monday December 14, 2020 at the Punxsutawney Area Hospital, surrounded by his daughters.

He was born March 19, 1933 to Lowry and Edith (Johnson) Dilts in Punxsutawney.  He was raised in Cloe, where his parents ran a greenhouse.

Larry was a 1951 graduate of the Punxsutawney High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Ishman, on June 14, 1952, and raised their family in R.D. 1, Rossiter.  Larry began a long-term career with PennDot while he was a teen, and retired from the state as the Chief of Surveys to continue to work as a private surveyor.  He taught surveying at the local technical school, and at Penn State University.

Most important to Larry were his faith, family, friends and country. Larry was a member of the Laurel Lake Seventh Day Adventist Church in Rossiter. Betty and Larry were avid square-dancers and polka enthusiasts.  They loved to play cards with friends.  Larry enjoyed stock car racing, fishing, and bird watching.  He had an intense love for animals.  Larry was very “other-centered,” and always available to help anyone in need.  His neighbors could always count on him to plow drive-ways, mow yards, whatever the need might be.

He is survived by four daughters, Sandy Himes and husband Blaine, Mantua, OH, Pam Neal and husband Randy, Perrysburg, OH,  Laurie Filitske and husband Bernard, Punxsutawney, and Linda Dushac and husband Robert, Punxsutawney.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Patricia Long, a grandson, Justin and his wife of 67 years Betty M. Dilts who preceded him in death on January 1, 2020.

The services are private due to Covid-19.  A celebration of life service will be held in the Spring.

Interment will take place at Oaklawn Cemetery in Cloe, where Larry was President for many years.

The McCabe Funeral Home Inc. of Punxsutawney have been entrusted with the arrangements.

To share a memory or leave an online condolence please log on to www.mccabewaldronfh.com

If you would like to make a donation, Larry supported the local SDA Church Camp in Rossiter, the local VFW,  Oaklawn Cemetery and the Humane Society.  Another suggestion to honor Larry’s giving spirit is to show a kindness to someone who needs help or encouragement.