Dellmer W. Sly

DAKOTA DUNES -- Dellmer W. Sly, 87, of Dakota Dunes passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at his temporary residence in Sioux City after a lengthy illness.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Grace United Methodist Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Harold Werley officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Memorial Park in Sioux City. A lunch will be served at the church following graveside services. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present at 6 p.m., at Morningside Chapel Christy-Smith Funeral Home. Online condolences may be offered at www.christysmith.com .

Dellmer was born March 9, 1924, in Davis City, Iowa, the only son of Harley and Ruby (Willis) Sly. He had four older sisters, Odessa, Delores, Adelaide, and Fernice. Growing up during the Depression, he enjoyed hunting and fishing both as sport and as a way to help the family make ends meet.

He married Violet L. Hullinger on Aug. 19, 1949, at Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa. They lived in eastern Iowa for many years before moving to Dakota Dunes in 1992.

Dellmer was a veteran of World War II, having fought with the 1st Marine Division in the South Pacific, including the Battle of Peleliu. Sgt. Sly was a squadron crew chief for a new specialized squadron -- VNF-541-the Night Fighters. This was the first squadron to use radar during battle. One of the recent highlights of his life was the opportunity to be part of a South Dakota Honor Flight that visited the World War II Memorial.

After his wartime service, Dellmer graduated from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa, and devoted his life to education. He earned a master's degree in education from the University of Colorado at Greeley. During his career, he served as a high school social studies and government teacher, a basketball and golf coach, a junior high principal and a junior high/elementary school principal. He taught in school districts in San Diego, Calif., and Hubbard, Prescott and Davenport, Iowa. He retired from the Davenport School District in 1989 where he had been employed for 31 years.

Dellmer was an avid reader and Iowa Hawkeyes fan. He enjoyed political discussions, gardening, fishing and traveling. He was known for his keen sense of humor. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family and attending his grandchildren's activities.

Dellmer was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, First Methodist Church, Retired Teachers, Just Another Club and Personian Club. He was a member of the Freemasons. He became a Master Mason in 1954 and was currently a member of Masons Home Lodge 192 in Iowa Falls, Iowa.

Survivors include his wife, Violet; his daughter, Dawn (John) Terpstra of Lynnville, Iowa; his son, David (Lin) of Sioux City; grandchildren, Ryan Williams of Lynnville, Bryce Williams of Ames, Iowa, Dana Sly of Sioux City and Lyndsay Terpstra of Lynnville; and a sister, Adelaide Farris of Lebanon, Ind.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters.

Casket bearers will be Bob Ellis, James Watkins, David Sly, John Terpstra, Ryan Williams, Bryce Williams, Dana Sly and Lyndsay Terpstra.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Siouxland.