Russel Wayne Dilley

His funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at Gering Central Church of Christ in Gering, Nebraska with Pastor Howard Roseberry officiating.  Visitation will be Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Bridgeport Memorial Chapel in Bridgeport, Nebraska.  A graveside service will be Tuesday, March 1 at 2:00 p.m. at the City of Loveland Burial Park in Loveland, Colorado with Rev. Peter Freytag officiating.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to GO Baseball or Bridgeport Church of Christ. 

Russel was born May 25, 1919 to Ida Belle (Baysinger) and Joseph Dilley in Denver, Colorado and was the youngest of six children.  He grew up on the plains of Eastern Colorado near Willard, Colorado, graduating as Valedictorian of Willard High School in 1937.  He attended the University of Colorado in Boulder.  On January 27, 1941 he married LaVone Smith in Sidney, Nebraska and to this union four children were born Gilbert “Wayne”, Patricia, Darrel and David.

Russel farmed full time near Merino, CO until 1954, working part time with Great Western Sugar Co in Sterling.  In 1954 working full time at Johnstown. He retired in 1995.  He was a Chief Chemist at the Windsor, Bayard, Gering, Scottsbluff and Johnstown Factories. Prided that the factories he served were awarded the coveted “Pennant Award” while under his watch, especially with the Gering factory receiving the top award 5 years in a row. He always remained a part time wheat farmer.

He earned his Private Pilots License at the age of 65. He qualified and competed in the World Horseshoe Pitching Tournament in 1963. Russel was a member of Church of Christ. He was active in the Gering Organized Baseball, serving as a team coach and as President of the organization.  Was instrumental in getting GO Baseball affiliated with Babe Ruth Baseball, serving as President of the Nebraska Babe Ruth Assoc. He was inducted in the Nebraska Babe Ruth Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.  He was an Associate Scout for the major league baseball teams, Seattle Pilots, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves for 35 years.  He also served on the Board of Directors for the Scottsbluff YMCA.

He was a loving and caring Husband, Father, Grandparent and friend. Always willing to help someone in need.

Survivors include his children Pat (LeRoy) Matticks of Bridgeport, Darrrel (Deborah) Dilley of LaSalle, CO and David (Leigh Ann) Dilley of Fort Collins, CO; daughter-in-law Eileen Rutten of Greeley, CO; 12 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren and sister-in-law Ethel Dilley of Brush, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his wife LaVone in 2004, son Wayne, brothers Wade, Joe and Jim and sisters Madge and Meg.

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