Otto J. Dier

Otto James Dier died peacefully on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at the age of 90. Born on June 30, 1927, in Flushing NY, the son of Otto J. Sr. and Elenora (Hock) Dier. Otto was a resident of Summer Chase in Lake Worth Florida for 19 years. He earned Eagle Scout by the time he was 15 years old after only three years of scouting. He enlisted in the Navy in 1944 at the age of 17 and served on a LST ammunition ship in the Pacific until WWII ended. He was decorated for bravery. When he was discharged just before his 19th birthday, he returned to and finished high school.

When Otto returned to school, he met the love of his life, Mary Jencks, and they were married for 66 years. They were well suited to one another and he lived his life to make Mary happy. Together, they raised four children, first in Levittown and then in Plainview, NY. Otto supported his family painting houses, owning his own business. He had a love and exceptional talent for art collecting and was self taught. In addition to art, he loved and thrived at landscaping, spending many happy hours transforming any plain piece of land into a beautiful oasis. In the last years of his life he took excellent care of Mary until she died. Otto was a steadfast and good man who was an example to many. He loved many and was loved by many.

Besides his parents and Mary, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Donald, Edward, Eugene and Jeffrey Dier, infant son, Phillip Dier and granddaughter, Alexis Stratigeas. He is survived by his sister, Susan (John) Michalic of Bethpage NY; sister-in-law, Eleanore Tompkins of Oak Bluffs MA; daughters, Elizabeth (Craig) Woodcock of Leesburg FL, Barbara (John) Flatley of Snow Hill MD, Deborah (Robert) Gluck of Medford NY, and son, Thomas Dier (Lori Petersen) of Oyster Bay NY; grandchildren, Matthew (Melissa) Woodcock, Brett (Darcy) Woodcock, Morgan (Sage) Withrow, Nicholas Stratigeas, Christopher (Susannah) Stratigeas, Otto (Katie) Ordemann, Dennis Ordemann, Lindsey Dier, and Justin Dier; 12 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be Sunday, November 19, 2017 from 2pm-3:30pm at the Vernon C. Wagner Funeral Home, 125 Old Country Road, Hicksville, NY. Celebration of Life to follow beginning at 3:30pm. Internment will be at Long Island National Cemetery on Monday, November 20, 2017.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Trustbridge Hospice of Palm Beach County or your favorite charity.