Donald Jay Dibble

He was born October 14, 1929 in Bloomville, NY, one of thirteen children, ten sons and three daughters of James and Rena (Constable) Dibble.

Don attended South Kortright Central School. During high school, after class, he worked for several dairy farmers. He proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Corporal from 1948 to 1952, stationed in Japan during the Korean War where he served as a medic. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he worked at the Meridale Farms in Meridale, NY, where he met his loving wife of 67 years, Yeska Kroes. Yeska had immigrated with her family from The Netherlands in 1952, and also worked at the Meridale Farms where they met. They were married on June 27, 1954 at the Meredith Square Baptist Church in Meredith, NY. They lived in Walton, NY, then purchased their home in South New Berlin, NY, in 1957, where they resided for 65 years. Don worked at Scintilla (Bendix, then Amphenol) in Sidney, NY, as a Machinist Punch Press Operator, then Maintenance, retiring after 41 years.

Don had many hobbies and served his community well. He was an avid beekeeper, marketing his pure honey locally and selling Dadant Bee Supplies for many years. He also raised chickens for a feed company for several years. Don also enjoyed raising 30 white faced Hereford beef cows. He would spend hours just sitting on the fence watching them. He loved his John Deere tractors and his 1948 Harley Davidson. Don was a Charter member of the South New Berlin Rescue Squad, serving as an EMT and a volunteer fireman with the South New Berlin Fire Department for over 50 years. He was a member of the American Legion where he served as Post Commander of Harold McIntyre Post 1289 in South New Berlin, and held several offices at the 6th District level. He was very active with the Boy Scouts, serving as an Assistant Cub Master, and worked with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for Eagle Scout and Silver Girl Scout awards recognition by the American Legion. He also served with the VFW Honor Guard, attending many veteran memorial services. Don was a long time member of the Rolling Antiquers Old Car Club of Norwich, NY, for over 25 years. He was an avid bowler, sponsoring the “Don’s Bee Supplies” bowling team at Lake Street Lanes in New Berlin, NY for many years. He was inducted into the Bowling Hall of Fame in Sidney, NY. Don was an avid NY Yankees fan, even driving to NYC to attend a few games at Yankee Stadium with his family. Don and Yeska attended the First Baptist Church of South New Berlin for many years since moving to South New Berlin, actively participating in church events. He enjoyed hunting with his son and brothers. He truly enjoyed social events, especially if there was a pot luck dinner or buffet involved, usually being the first person in line. People would marvel at the amount of food this thin guy could consume.

It seemed like there wasn’t a function, business, or event he attended, where he and Yeska didn’t meet someone they knew. Don had many friends from work and in the many organizations he belonged to. He was a hard worker his entire life and could fix or repair just about anything. If Don couldn’t fix it, it probably should be thrown away.

Don was predeceased by his son, Donald W. Dibble, in September 2017, and his nine brothers (Marshall, Clarence, James, Lloyd, John, William, Leo, Everest, and Charles) and three sisters (Margaret, Elva and Viola).

Don is survived by his wife of 67 years, Yeska, his daughter Katherine (Alan) Zogg (Hamilton, NY), daughter-in-law Cindy Pickens (South New Berlin, NY), sisters-in-law Shirley Dibble (Brandon, FL), Dorothy Dibble (Gilbertsville, NY), Jackie Dibble (Waterloo, NY), brothers-in-law Johannes Kroes (Baldwinsville, NY), Verne Hiatt (Deland, FL), several nieces and nephews, great nephews and several cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the First Baptist Church of South New Berlin, 3294 State Hwy. 8, South New Berlin, NY. Don will be laid to rest at the Riverside Cemetery in South New Berlin.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy and remembrance may be made to the First Baptist Church of South New Berlin, PO Box 69, South New Berlin, NY 13843, or the White Store Church / Evergreen Cemetery, (Donations should be made out to Evergreen Cemetery Association and sent to Ted Ellingsen, 431 White Store Road, Norwich NY 13815).