Dilley, Gerald

Gerald Elton Dilley, age 90 of Clintonville passed away on September 8, 2024 in Middleton, Wisconsin.

“Jerry” as he was known to everyone was born on November 11, 1933 in Clintonville, Wisconsin, the oldest child of Elton and Grace (Shepard) Dilley. He grew up in Clintonville and graduated from Clintonville High School in 1952. He then attended Oshkosh State College for two years and the University of Wisconsin – Madison for one semester. Out of money, he dropped out of college and was immediately drafted into the United States Army. Jerry spent two years in the Army Signal Corps where he taught night school and discovered his love of teaching. He received an honorable discharge and returned to Oshkosh State College, where he earned his degree in secondary education. Jerry taught physics, earth science, chemistry, and photography during his teaching career, first at Birnamwood High School in Birnamwood, Wisconsin from 1959 to 1961, then at Whitnall High School in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. He earned a Masters Degree in the Teaching of Physics in 1965 and retired from teaching in 1991.

After moving to the Milwaukee area, Jerry met Ruth Elizabeth Hanson at a YMCA dance. They were married on June 16, 1962 in Lodi, Wisconsin. They made their home in Cudahy, Wisconsin until 1964, when they built their home in Wind Lake, Wisconsin. Jerry and Ruth lived in Wind Lake for 34 years and raised their two children there. In 1998, following their retirement from teaching, Jerry and Ruth purchased a home on the Pigeon River in Clintonville, Wisconsin, where they lived for 24 years. Due to age and declining health, in 2023 Jerry and Ruth sold their home in Clintonville and moved to assisted living in Middleton, Wisconsin.

Jerry is a past member of Norway Lutheran Church in Wind Lake and a present member of Christ Congregational Church in Clintonville. He had a wonderful tenor singing voice and participated regularly in the church choir until he was no longer able to do so.

Jerry had several hobbies, including photography, genealogy, and building “Dilley traptions”. By far his favorite hobby was fishing and Jerry was often seen heading out to the Cloverleaf Lakes in his big red truck with boat in tow. Jerry enjoyed playing games, especially cards, and often spent evenings with family and friends playing sheepshead. Jerry and Ruth also enjoyed camping and traveling. They toured much of the United States during their retirement, often returning to their favorite camping spot in Montana. They were also able to take special tours to Alaska and Europe. Many of their trips involved genealogy and Jerry and Ruth co-authored a book on the Dilley family tree entitled “I Come From a Long Line of Dilleys”.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth, and his two children, Janet (Tim) Meydam of Wittenberg, Wisconsin and Mark (Bonnie) Dilley of Fitchburg, Wisconsin; grandchildren and step-grandchildren Calysta (Patrick) Burke, Jeffrey (Kariema) Phalen, Jon Dilley, Kassaundra (Jared) Kiehnau, Ari (Jenna) Lubet, Elliot Lubet, Ben Lubet; great-grandchild and step great-grandchildren Tadhg Burke, Matylda Burke, Filomina Lubat, Leona Lubet, and Djed Lubet. He is further survived by his sisters Judy (Norman) Busse of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, and Jill (Bill) Grosskreutz of Clintonville, plus many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held 11 AM Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, South Location, 299 S. Main St. Clintonville, with the Rev. Jill Meyer officiating. Interment will take place at Graceland Cemetery, Clintonville, following the service. Military honors will be conducted at the cemetery by VFW Post #664, American Legion Post #63, and American Legion Auxiliary Unit #63, all of Clintonville.

Visitation will take place on Saturday at the funeral home from 10 AM until the time of service.

The Dilley family would like to thank the staff at Cardinal View Senior Living and Agrace Hospice for the wonderful care provided to Jerry during his stay.

An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.