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The following obituary was submitted by Lyle Dillenbeck's son Don on 2/20/2010:

Lyle Martin Dillenbeck passed away at his residence at Hawks Ridge on January 14th 2010. He was 92 years old.

Lyle was born November 15, 1917 in Williamston, Michigan. He was one of three sons of Ray C Dillenbeck and Muriel (Merrifield) Dillenbeck. Lyle was raised in Williamston. After graduating high school he got his barbers license and worked with his father until he was drafted into the Army Air Force on June 26, 1941; his basic training was at the Portland Air Base in Portland, Oregon. He was promoted to Private First Class following his basic training. Initially he was an airplane and engine mechanic, assisting in performing prescribed inspections and maintenance of aircraft. It was his responsibility to see that-engines were in proper working order by doing tune-ups and pre-flight inspections. He met his wife Virginia Dethman on April 12, 1942 while he was stationed there.

He was sent to radio mechanic schooling in Los Angeles, CA and was subsequently promoted to Tech Sergeant with the 47th Bomb Squadron. As a radio mechanic he performed necessary maintenance and repair work on AAF airborne radio equipment. He made periodic inspections of radio equipment, kept equipment cleaned; inspected antenna systems, cords, plugs, telegraph key and control switches. He tested equipment, made necessary adjustments and replaced needed parts.

He was deployed to Kahoka Air Base in Honolulu, HI. He and Virginia were married August 10, 1942 while he was on leave. He then transferred to Abemama Air Base in the Gilbert Islands and was there for a little over a year before being briefly deployed to Kansas, then back to Portland Air Base with the 41st Bomb Squadron. He was given an honorable discharge on October 9, 1945.

After leaving the Army Lyle and Virginia had a farm on Dethman Ridge in Hood River, Oregon. During this time they had two sons, Loyd and Don.

Lyle also worked Diamond Fruit Growers until he retired. Lyle’s favorite hobby was rock collecting. He loved to cut and polish the ones that he collected. He got the nickname of "Rocky" from his co­workers.

He also loved working in his yard. Lyle was also a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Odell.

Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Virginia, and two brothers Max Dillenbeck and Gerald Dillenbeck.

Lyle is survived by a brother Keith Sadler of Williamston, Michigan, son Loyd Dillenbeck and his wife Stella of Alamogordo, New Mexico, son Don Dillenbeck and his wife Cindy of Hood River, Oregon; granddaughters Marcella (Dillenbeck) Garland of Anchorage, Alaska and Michelle (Dillenbeck) Portnoy of Tempe, Arizona; grandsons Aaron Dillenbeck of Hood River and Nicholas Dillenbeck of Ramstien Air Force Base in Germany;  great granddaughter Kaelin Portnoy, and great grandsons, Elijah and Samuel Garland, many other friends and family.

Memorials can be made to the Gorge Heroes Club and sent care of Anderson’s.

A funeral service with military honors will be conducted 2:30 p.m., Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 at Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, OR 97031. Graveside Rites will follow at the Pine Grove Butte Cemetery.  Family friend and Pastor, Carl Casey of the Parkdale Nazarene Church will officiate. Please visit our website to sign the family guest book. www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com

Last Revised: May 26, 2011