J. Earl Dibert

J. Earl Dibert, age 84, former resident of Chambersburg, PA had his Heavenly homecoming on Friday, July 26, 2013, while a resident at Somerford Frederick, MD. Born April 16, 1929, he was the oldest son of Joseph and Daisy Grimes Dibert of Everett, PA. Upon graduating Everett High School, Earl served on the mission field in Nigeria for two years where he constructed a church. After returning home to the Dibert farm, Earl continued his education at Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA where he met Mary C. Hoffman washing dishes in the dining hall. Earl and Mary were married at the Waynesboro Church of the Brethren in June, 1958.

Earl graduated from Elizabethtown College and taught Science at Shippensburg Jr. High School before attending Penn State to earn a Master’s degree in guidance and counseling. The Dibert’s moved to Dillsburg, PA where Earl worked as a guidance counselor and the couple volunteered a summer as resident managers of Camp Eder and as weekend house parents at Hershey’s Jefferson Residence for middle school boys. Earl completed classes at Millersville and became a psychologist in the Chambersburg Area School District, where he would later retire. While on a one-year sabbatical the Dibert’s volunteered in Hemet, CA, at Concept 7, a Christian ministry to help abused and neglected teen-age girls. Earl volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Frances Leiter Center, Franklin County Prison Yokefellows, and the Chambersburg Election Board. He counseled families and operated a small solar business in his spare time. The Dibert’s were members of the Church of the Brethren nearly all of their lives where Earl served as moderator, deacon, and Sunday school teacher. Earl enjoyed camping, house construction, family activities, disaster relief, and helping others.

Surviving is his wife of 55 years, Mary; three sons, David (wife Deborah) of Laytonsville, MD, Steven (wife Holly) of Ellicott City, MD, and Kevin of Hollywood, FL; three grandchildren to son David (Michael, Lauren, Timothy); two grandchildren to son Steven (Abigail, Julianna).and three siblings, Don Dibert, Ruth Johnson, and Mary Fluke. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Willis in infancy.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at noon at the Chambersburg Church of the Brethren, 260 South Fourth Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201, where Rev. Daniel House will officiate. Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, Chambersburg, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Camp Eder, 914 Mt. Hope Road, Fairfield, PA 17320 or the Chambersburg Church of the Brethren. Online condolences may be offered on Earl’s Book of Memories page at www.geiselfuneralhome.com.