Ernest Dilley, 88, of Oskaloosa died Monday, December 9, 2013 at Mahaska Health Partnership in Oskaloosa. He was born Wednesday, December 31, 1924 in What Cheer, the son of Carl W. Sr. and Jessie Inman Dilley. He graduated from the What Cheer, High School with the class of 1943. Following graduation, Ernest attended Iowa State University. On September 5, 1945, Ernie was united in marriage to Bette J. Mateer at the Christian Church Parsonage in Oskaloosa. Following school he joined the U.S.Army and served during World WarII. Following his discharge, Ernie worked as the produce manager at Thriftway and eventually became the manager of the Oskaloosa Thriftway store. When Thriftway was pruchased by Safeway, Ernest transferred with them. In 1960, he bought the O.& L. and named it Ernie's O.& L. and also owned Ernie's A.G. Ernie often did shopping, delivery and ran errands for the elderly. He later closed his stores and went to work for Carroll Van Wyk's Grocery Store for a year. Ernie served as the custodian at the First Church of the Nazarene in Oskaloosa and volunteered at the Delta Grocery for many years. Ernie was a member of the American Legion and Delta Christian Church. He and Bette volunteered with the Oskaloosa Chamber of Commerce, the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and IPTV. While Ernie was in the Military he promised God if he made it out of the war he would spread the gospel, so over the years he passed out thousands of religious tracks. He was honored to be a member of one of the Honor Flights to Washington D.C.

His family includes his wife of over 68 years: Bette Jean Dilley of Oskaloosa; his nieces and nephews: Joanne(Jerry) Stout, Beverly(Dale)McBeth, Linda(Don)Carey, Dixie(Richard)Shipley, Roger(Kim)Strong, Greg(Kim)Moore; and many great, great great and great great great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother: Carl W. Dilley, Jr.; two nephews: Robert Moore and M.L."Tobe"Shipley.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 13, 2013 at 11 am at the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Ralph Sprunk officiating. Burial will be in the Springfield Cemetery near Delta. Visitation will begin Thursday after 1 pm in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with the family present at the funeral chapel from 5-7 pm to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Delta Christian Church. Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrnagements.