Robert H. "Bob" Dietz, 79, of Bristol, passed away peacefully at 11:30 p.m. Thursday, March 30, following an extended illness at Elkhart General Hospital.
He was born June 13, 1937, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to the late Henry E. and Bertha (Ford) Dietz, and later married Eileen B. Jurcevich on June 22, 1957, in Johnstown. She survives at home.
Also surviving are his children Karen Perry of Dearborn, Michigan, Mike (Kelley) Dietz of Linden, Michigan, and Patti (Kevin) Shrider of Bristol; sister Mildred Allison of Johnstown; grandchildren Adam and Evan Dietz, Brittany (Blake Hill) Ludwig, Aimee (Troy) Cox, Nicole Cloud, Sarah (Will Weed) Shrider, Samantha Shrider and Lcpl. Bridget Shrider, U.S. Marine Corps; and great-grandson Skylar Cloud.
In accordance with the family's wishes, no immediate services have been scheduled and cremation is to take place.
Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.
Bob worked as a millwright at the GM facility in Defiance, Ohio, for 35 years, retiring in 1999.
He was an avid gardener, and in his free time he enjoyed spending time with his family, working outdoors in the yard and in his flower gardens and traveling throughout the United States. He was also an accomplished woodworker and a U.S. Navy veteran, serving onboard the USS Wadleigh (DD689) just prior to the Vietnam War.
Memorial donations may be given to the American Heart Association.