Elroy Milton Dieringer, of Schulenburg, Texas, went to be with the Lord on September 1, 2023, two months shy of his 91st birthday, surrounded by his family. Elroy was born on November 6, 1932, the thirteenth child of Frank J. and Alouisa Billeck Dieringer. He was christened in the Methodist Church of Freyburg and grew up and attended Abbotts Grove School, finishing only the eighth grade. Elroy worked on the family farm and joined the US Air Force on January 15, 1952, serving for over 26 years. He was stationed in Texas, Louisiana, Bermuda, Michigan, Massachusetts, Pakistan, Florida, Germany and Montana. He was awarded numerous ribbons, medals and citations during his military career and reached the rank of Senior Master Sergeant, before retiring in 1978.

On May 31, 1952, Elroy married Irene Pavlicek, the love of his life, and they had five children: Dennis (deceased), Franklin, Richard, Katherine and Sandra. In May 2007, Elroy and Irene celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary before losing Irene to cancer. Elroy was a life time member of the VFW as well as the First Baptist Church of Schulenburg, where he served in numerous roles from groundskeeper to Deacon. Above all, he loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Elroy excelled at service in many capacities, in addition to his military service, including various charities in Schulenburg. He never met a stranger and is well known for his generosity, love of laughter, an incredible short game in golf and being a killer 42 player.

Elroy is survived by two sons, Franklin and his wife Jeanette of Weatherford, Texas; and Richard and his wife Roni of Cabot, Arkansas; daughters, Kathy and her spouse Susan of Double Oak, Texas; and Sandy and her husband Melvin Linton of Beulah, Texas; granddaughters, Sharee Hiatt and her husband Brian of Denver, Colorado, Kristina Parker and her husband John of Las Vegas, Nevada and Lauren Dieringer of Bryan, Texas; grandsons, Melvin Linton III and wife Shelby of Beulah, Texas and Hunter Linton of Beulah, Texas; 4 great grandchildren, Kynleigh Linton, Lacey Linton and Melvin Linton IV of Beulah, Texas and Ashton Hiatt of Denver, Colorado; and many nieces and nephews.

Elroy was preceded in death by his wife, Irene; son, Dennis;  5 sisters, Hilda Bednarz, Elsa Gabler, Pearlie White, Lorene Guentert and Adala Dieringer; eight brothers, Hugo, Frank Jr., Herbert, Helmuth, Oscar, Erwin, Bennie and Clarence; and his parents, Frank and Alouisa Dieringer.,

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 15, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home. Funeral Services will take place on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Schulenburg. Interment with full military honors will follow in the Schulenburg City Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Schulenburg Historical Museum, or Senior Connections (formerly the Navidad Valley Community Connection).