Norman (Pete) Charles Dilts, 79
Norman (Pete) Charles Dilts died Saturday, May 11, 2013, in Spokane Valley. The seventh of eight children, Pete was born in 1933 to Harry and Florence Dilts in Lebanon, N.J., and grew up a hardworking farm boy.
He served in the U.S. Air Force for 23 years as an aircraft mechanic, a Flight Engineer aboard the C-124 Globemaster, and an electronics technician. A recipient of the Air Force Commendation medal, Pete retired as Master Sergeant, with assignments in the Philippines, Thailand, Okinawa, Guam and bases all over the U.S. He had a second career of 23 years with the Idaho Department of Transportation in Sandpoint and Post Falls, retiring in 2000.
While stationed in Oklahoma in 1956, he met and married the love of his life, Martha. Together they raised three sons throughout the adventures and trials of life in the military. Pete was devoted to caring for his family and was very proud of his children and grandkids. He enjoyed tinkering on cars, growing vegetable gardens, exercise (even rollerblading at 70), building RC airplanes and having the tidiest yard in the neighborhood.
Becoming a Christian in 2007, he was a member of Fellowship Bible Church in Post Falls. The love of Christ and family were his comfort and strength during his years battling lymphoma.
Pete is survived by his sister, Peg; his wife of 56 years, Martha; sons, Gary Dilts of Los Alamos, N.M., Brian Dilts of Spokane Valley and Steve Dilts of Sagle; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Marjorie, Doris and Harriet; and brothers, Hank, Kenny and Bill.
A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 16, 2013, Fellowship Bible Church, 1220 N. Idaho St., Post Falls, with Pastor Mark Hardy officiating. Internment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Post Falls.
Please make contributions to North Idaho Hospice, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 (www.honi.org); American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org); or The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 66395, Washington, D.C., 20035-6395, (www.avdlm.org/site/c.gnKFIJNqEqG/b.5287617/k.BEA8/Home.htm).