A native of Kentucky, he had been a resident of Athens for the past 15 years. A son of the late Reuben and Minerva Lycans Dingess, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Bill, Ray and Ben Dingess; and one sister, Betty Dingess Pennington. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving as an aviation electrician. He worked in the West Virginia coal mines and for Ashland Oil. He was an ordained minister of the Church of God in Anderson, Ind., and served as pastor in Kenova and Parkersburg, W.Va. He started Ripley First Church of God in Ripley, W.Va., and before retiring, he was manager of the West Virginia Church of God Campground.

Survivors include his wife of 54 Years, Shirley Burtrum Dingess of Athens; three sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Jan Dingess of Englewood, Mark and Kay Dingess of Etowah, and Doug and Michelle Dingess of Clinton; his grandchildren, Jessica Dingess of Houston, Texas, Stacie Dingess of Andersonville, Megan and Brandon Dingess of Englewood, Mallory Dingess of Johnson City, Madison Dingess of Englewood, Gary Carter of Etowah, and Jamie Carter of Athens; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Jay and Billie Dingess of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Jerry and Judy Dingess of Ashland, Ky., and Jim and Sherie Dingess of Greenup, Ky.; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Bonnie and John Triplet and Rita Alley, all of Warfield, Ky.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Wednesday at Englewood First Church of God with Pastor Kevin Cummins officiating. Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday in McMinn Memory Gardens with military honors.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Church of God, P.O. Box 189, Englewood, TN 37329.

Bordwine Funeral Home of Etowah is in charge of arrangements