Dietz, George

Other Events:

• 1940 Census: 1940, Ellington, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA

Notes:

1940 Census:
George Dietz44
Eleanora Dietz43
John Dietz16
Mary Dietz13
Rita Dietz11
Edward Zimmerman38

George married Knapstein, Eleanore Bef 1923. Eleanore (daughter of Knapstein, John George and Basten, Mary) was born 7 Jun 1896, Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA; died 1 Mar 1960; was buried , St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Appleton, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• 1940 Census: 1940, Ellington, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA
• Education - High School: 1941, Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA
• Obituary: 6 Nov 2015; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

1940 Census:
George Dietz44
Eleanora Dietz43
John Dietz16
Mary Dietz13
Rita Dietz11
Edward Zimmerman38

Education - High School:
Appleton High School Class of 1941

Obituary:
John G. Dietz, 92, of Appleton, a Community Leader, Church Trustee, and, most importantly, a life-long avid aviator, made his final "touch and go" on October 29, 2015 at Cherry Meadows Hospice. He died peacefully after a mercifully short struggle with kidney/heart failure.
John was born on August 23, 1923, to the late George and Eleanore (Knapstein) Dietz of Greenville. He graduated from Appleton High School in 1941, and ran the family farm in Greenville during the War. From 1948 until his retirement in 1985, John was co-owner of Appleton Appliance Company (APCO), which was in the business of selling LP gas, appliances, and heating and air conditioning services. He was president and on the board of Service & Supply, Inc., and was a member of the Elks Club and the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce.
John started flying in 1945, obtained his private pilot's license in 1947, and was passionate about flying from the day he soloed. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the AOPA, and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). For over 40 years, John attended and worked at every Oshkosh EAA air show. He loved flying to a destination, especially to air shows and to the annual Washington Island Fly-in Fish Boil, where he was regularly the oldest pilot in attendance.
John met his wife Sylvia in 1948, and they married in 1950. In 1957, they built a new home on the edge of Appleton's South Side, where they raised four children and spent the remainder of their married life together. In retirement, John and Sylvia enjoyed being snowbirds at their condo in Naples, Florida. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, and was a Braves/Brewers and Packers fan. John especially enjoyed dancing with Sylvia to Big Band music; they were members of the Starduster's Dance Club for many years.
He was on the Outagamie County Board of Supervisors from 1959 to 1978, and served on the Airport Committee, during which time he advocated for the construction of a new regional airport in Outagamie County. On the 50th anniversary of the "Outagamie County Regional Airport" this August, John proudly carried the new flag that now flies over the renamed "Appleton International Airport."
A devout Catholic, and always at the forefront of everything, he was a founding member of Saint Bernadette Catholic Church in Appleton, served as one of its original Trustees, and helped plan the construction of its grade school, rectory and convent and was also an usher. John became a member of the Knights of Columbus in 1951, and eventually became the Grand Knight of Council #607, and president of the Columbus Club. He became a Member of the 4th Degree in 1964, and served as the 4th Degree's Faithful Navigator. Starting in 1967, John combined his passion for flying with his service to Catholic war veterans by regularly flying volunteer Knights to the VA Hospital in Tomah in order to take the Catholic vets to Mass.
John is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sylvia; his daughters: Margaret (Peggy) Dietz, San Francisco and Linda Dietz, San Jose, CA; his sons: George Dietz, Delafield WI, and Jeffrey Dietz, Appleton; his grandson: Jay Dietz, Greenfield WI; his two sisters: Mary Herwig, Appleton and Rita Brandt, West Allis, WI; his aunt: LaVerne Knapstein, Appleton; his brother-in-law: Alex O. Strobel, Naples, FL and sisters-in-law: Beatrice Sturm, Appleton and Bernice Strobe, Little Chute, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. In addition to his parents and his wife's parents, John was preceded in death by his sister-in-law: Ruth B. Strobel and his brothers-in-law: Robert F. Herwig, Chuck Brandt, Oscar Sturm and Melvin, Mark and Sylvester Strobel.
A memorial service will be held at 5:00 pm, Friday, November 13, 2015 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2331 E Lourdes Dr, Appleton) with Fr. Don Zuleger officiating and the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Honor Guard. Friends may visit with the family on Friday at the church from 2:00 PM until the time of the service. Inurnment will be at St. Joseph Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donation may be made in memory of John Dietz to St. Bernadette Church or to the "Knights of Columbus Endowment Fund within the Community Fund" PO Box 563, Appleton, WI 54912. To sign the guestbook, please visit legacy.com or the Brettschneider-Trettin-Nickel website: www.btlfuneral.com.

John married Strobel, Sylvia (daughter of Strobel, Norbert Peter and Werner, Regina Anna) [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Education - Graduation: 28 May 1944, St. Mary High School
• Education - Graduation: 1946, School of Dental Hygiene

Mary married Herwig, Robert [Group Sheet]