Salem – Felix Luke Dilger was born in Tabor, South Dakota on October 18, 1921 to his parents, Bozanna Kolda and Dr. Frank Dilger.
He received early schooling at Sacred Heart Elementary School and Yankton High School in Yankton, South Dakota where his father had opened a dental office. He then attended St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minnesota, South Dakota University and then Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where he obtained his dental degree.
In 1946 Dr. Dilger married Rosemary McNabb in Des Moines, Iowa. Rosemary died in 1989.
He served as a dentist during WWII, then subsequently practiced dentistry with his father in Yankton, S.D. until moving to St. Helens, Oregon where he was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. Upon separation from the armed forces Dr. Dilger settled in Salem, Oregon and established his dental practice in West Salem.
In March 1993 Dr. Dilger married Maryellen Lobdell Mesford.
Dr. Dilger was a lifelong member of the Roman Catholic faith, a credit to his Jesuit education. As a result of this faith he was instrumental in getting legislation passed in Oregon granting “released time” in public schools for religious instruction.
He is survived by his wife Maryellen, and six sons: John W., Gresham; Dr. Gregory C., West Salem; Felix Jr., Monterey, CA; Peter S., Salem; Paul D., Salem; Matthew T., Keizer; step-children F. Mark Mesford, Payson, AZ; Deacon Eric Meisfjord, Spokane, WA; Marianne Mesford, Corvallis; also all his grandchildren and step-grandchildren who loved him dearly.
Surviving siblings include Mary Kay De Gasteazoro, Yankton, SD; Delores Rike, Allendale, VA; Rosemary Stipo, Palm Bay, FL; Jan Lewis, Houston, TX; and Joan Timony, Georgetown, Washington D.C. He was preceded in death by brothers Dr. Joseph Dilger, Dr. Francis Dilger, daughter Mary Nakayama, and step-son J. Alex Mesford.
A vigil service will be held on Friday, August 20 at 6:00 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church; funeral services will be Saturday, August 21 at 2:00 pm with private interment later at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.
Memorials will be welcomed for the good works of the St. Joseph Conference or St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.