Paul Maurice Dellinger

A native of Catawba County, he grew up in Newton-Conover and was the sixth of nine children born to the late Oscar and Zylphia Dellinger. He is also preceded in death by four brothers, Oscar, Henry, Johnny, Charles; and one sister, Mary. He was a devout member of the Lutheran

Church Missouri Synod, serving as the President of the Carolinas International Lutheran Laymen’s League. He was especially proud of his military service as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corp 1955-1959, where he served in Lebanon, the Mediterranean and Turkey. At the end of his enlistment, he enrolled at Appalachian State University where he played football (#52) successfully for four years. After graduation with a business degree, he worked as human resource manager in several manufacturing sites in Newton, Spruce Pine and Sparta, NC. In recent years, he pursued his hobby of “making people happy” with his Paul’s Hotdogs vending venture at fairs, festivals and the Blue Ridge Music Center. When he was not working, he enjoyed dancing – line dancing, shagging and slow dancing. He served as President of several dance clubs in Hickory, Statesville, and most recently in Belmont with the Highlighters Dance Club.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Becky” Burris Dellinger; sons, Jefferson Parks Dellinger and wife, Judy, of Lake Wylie, Joseph Paul Dellinger of Charlotte, David Andrew Dellinger of Pineville; step-daughters, Elizabeth Fuller Davis and husband, Steve, Katherine Fuller Huffstickler and husband, Brian; grandchildren, Matthew Dellinger, Hailey and Rainey Dellinger; step-grandchildren, Jackson and Jordan Davis, Anna and Andrew Huffstickler. He is also survived by siblings, Virginia Dellinger Abernathy of Claremont, Ellen Dellinger Rowe of Conover, Connie Dellinger-Brooks of Newland; mother-in-law, Maerell Holland Burris of Mt. Holly; sister-in-law, Debra Burris Hartness and husband, Danny, of Mt. Holly.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Conover with the Rev. Dennis Quackenboss, pastor of Mountainside Lutheran Church in Linville, NC, officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:45 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp Linn Haven, PO Box 385, Linville, NC 28646.