Martha Ruth Dillenbeck

Martha R. Dillenbeck, 93, of Johnson City, died Monday, February 18, 2013 at the NHC Johnson City. She was a native of Reading, PA and had lived in Johnson City since 1962. She was a daughter of the late Nathan I. And Margaret Boldt Ruth. As an active member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, she had served on Church Council, taught Sunday School for 10 years, gave programs on 'Birds of the Bible'? in the morning circle of WELCA (womens group), organized member visits to nursing homes, and helped Cover Girls to make quilts. Mrs. Dillenbeck received a Bachelors degree from Kutztown State Teachers College and a Masters degree from Penn State University in Speech Pathology. She started the Speech Correction and Remedial Reading programs in the public schools of Hershey, PA. Eight years later, she helped to set up the Speech and Hearing Clinic at the Harrisburg Center of Penn State where she was an Assistant Professor. She was a Supervisor in the Speech and Hearing Clinic on the Penn State main campus for three summers. On April 1, 1950 Martha Ida Ruth married Harold L. Dillenbeck, whom she had met at the Harrisburg Center. Mrs. Dillenbeck was an avid birder. In the Tennessee Ornithological Society, the local Herndon Chapter, she had held several offices and had led birding trips locally and to Roan Mt. She participated in many bird counts in this area. In 2004, the Herndon Chapter honored her forty years of dedicated service. Birding was her favorite hobby. She also delighted in gardening and sewing. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul Ruth and George Ruth both of PA; her husband of 51 years, Harold L. Dillenbeck in 2002. Survivors include: her two daughters, Joy D. Crass and husband Mark of Johnson City, JoAnn Hoffman and husband Greg of Eaton, OH; one son Eric P. Dillenbeck of Gray; a sister, Hilda Heinly of PA; and many nieces and nephews. There will be no public visitation. A graveside service is to be conducted on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 2:30 pm at Mt. Home National Cemetery under the direction of Pastor James Nipper. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Memorial Fund, c/o Our Savior Lutheran Church, 212 Sunset Dr., Johnson City, TN 37604.