Robert M. “Bob” Dibble, 77, of Girard, passed away Jan. 6, 2012 at his winter home in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Bob was born in Girard on July 1, 1934, a son of the late Vincent and Mary Bartko Dibble. He graduated from Girard’s Rice Avenue Union High School in 1953 and served an apprenticeship at Marx Toys for tool and die, and was a toolmaker there for 13 years. He subsequently worked at American Sterilizer as a programmer for CNC machines. In 1962 he purchased Miller’s Farm and Garden, changed the name to Girard Agway, and operated it with his wife Ellie until 1986. He then opened his own excavating company in the Girard area, running the business until his retirement in 1999.
Bob was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church in Girard and was a 3rd Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Girard American Legion Post #494, the Elk Valley Knights of Columbus Golf League for 39 years and the Couples Golf League for 30 years. Besides golf he was also an avid hunter and fisherman and he enjoyed boating and his motorcycle.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter, Doreen C. Serafini.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor “Ellie” M. Hrinda Dibble, whom he married on June 30, 1956 in Girard; his daughter, Catherine Marie Greenland and her husband, Timothy of Clearfield, Pa.; sons, Robert J. Dibble and his wife, Karen of Edinboro and Daniel A. Dibble and his wife, Jennifer of Bellefonte, Pa; four sisters, Delores Sedler of West Springfield, Betty Wagner and her husband, James of Cranesville, Alice Nelson and her husband, George of Albion and Norma Garlick and her husband, Philip of Summerville, S.C.; three brothers, Harry Dibble and his wife, Shirley of Lynnwood, Wash., Martin Dibble of Albion and Vincent Dibble of West Palm Beach, Fla.; eleven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call on Wednesday, from 2 -5 p.m. at the Daniel R. Edder Funeral Home, 309 Main St. East in Girard.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Girard.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ridge Manor – West, 8300 W. Ridge Road, Girard, PA 16417; the Gertrude Barber Center, 136 East Ave., Erie, PA 16507; or to Corry Regional Hospice, 612 W. Smith St., Corry, PA 16407.
To send condolences visit edderfuneralhome.com.