Lester F. Dicke, 95, of St. Marys, died at 10:45 p.m. May 8, 2013, at St. Marys Living Center.

He was born Oct. 13, 1917, in Mercer County, to Florince and Anna Moeller Dicke Sr.

On Dec. 27, 1941, he married Eileen Hollman, who died Oct. 25, 2002.

He is survived by his son, Jonny (Wanda) Dicke of Celina; five grandchildren, Melinda (Jeff) Smith of Bluffton, Tim (Yvonne) Dicke of Beavercreek, Ted (Nicole) Dicke of St. Marys, Missy (Tim) Hirschfeld of Dublin and Mandy Dicke of Celina; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother, Florince "Dick" (Trudy) Dicke of St. Marys; and a sister, Marge Silvers of St. Marys.

He also was preceded in death by three brothers, Sylvanus Dicke, LeeVern Dicke and Donald Dicke; and two sisters, Edna Hudson and Mary Margaret Dicke.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served during World War II. He was a lifelong farmer and had formerly worked as a steam engineer at the Weston Paper Mill in St. Marys.

He was a member of Mercer Lodge #121, Free and Accepted Masons for 41 years, St. Marys Chapter #51 of the Royal Arch Masons for 38 years, St. Marys Council #81 of the Royal and Select Masons for 38 years, served as Worshipful Master, High Priest, Illustrious Master and Commander of the Knight York Cross of Honor for 26 years, was Worthy Patron twice of Hawthorne Chapter #119, Order of Eastern Star and Grand Aide to Grand Worthy Matron of OES. 

He supported his church, St. Paul's United Church of Christ in St. Marys, by serving as a deacon, elder and trustee. He was the director of the Soil and Water Conservation District for eight years; director of Milk Marketing Incorporated for six years and a life member of American Legion Post 323, St. Marys.

Funeral rites are 11 a.m. Monday at Miller Funeral Home in St. Marys, the Rev. Dr. Ed Bray officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery.

Calling is 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, where Masonic Memorial Rites will follow at 8 p.m. Memorials may be given to St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Grand Lake Hospice or the St. Marys Living Center.

Condolences may be left at Millerfuneralhomes.net.