Jerry Clayton Dinger

Jerry Clayton Dinger, age 85, of New Philadelphia, died peacefully, Saturday, September 19, 2026, while in Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital at Dover following a period of declining health.

Jerry was born in Wayne County, Detroit, Michigan on April 15, 1941. A son of the late Raymond Dinger and Naomi Bradley Dinger, Jerry’s mother died when he was 10 years old. His father later married Mildred Dinger, who became Jerry’s stepmother.

After the passing of his mother, Jerry’s father moved to Ohio where Jerry became a 1959 graduate of the former Midvale High School. In the years following, Jerry was drafted into the United States Army and honorably served his country from 1963 – 1965.

On January 29, 1966, a snowy day by recollection, Jerry married the former Shirley Miller in St. Paul’s United Church of Christ at Port Washington. While raising their family of three children, the couple shared their faith for many years at New Philadelphia’s First United Church of Christ and over the last decade have found their way back to St. Paul’s where they continue to worship today.

For 23 years Jerry was employed by the former Buckeye Machine and Supply at New Philadelphia until its closure and ultimately, he found a new home just up the street at Rex Pipe and Supply, retiring at the age of 62 and staying on part-time for a few years after.

In his younger years Jerry loved camping with his family, hunting, fishing, bowling, and taking care of his garden and yard. He was heavily involved with the Smiling Suns 4-H Club as an advisor for more than 20 years. Jerry had a great sense of humor and loved to have fun. He had a lengthy list of “Dad” jokes and what began as a joke among his neighbors quickly became a title Jerry proudly embraced as the “Mayor of Dingerville,” a position he happily accepted and carried out with an ornery grin and his good-natured spirit.

More than anything Jerry loved supporting his family. It didn’t matter if he was following his children to their activities while they were growing up or attending a special event for his grandchildren, while his health allowed, Jerry was there showing his love and support for each of them.

Jerry will be deeply missed by his wife of 60 years, Shirley; their children, Joyce (Eric) Anderson of New Philadelphia, John (Marna) Dinger of Gnadenhutten, and Sarah (Paul) Alexander of New Albany; his beloved grandchildren, Reed (Aeriel Green) Anderson, Nathan (Morgan Karam) Anderson, Garret (Sarah Fowler) Dinger, Cale Dinger, Ellie Alexander, and Evie Alexander; an expected great-granddaughter, and three step-great-grandchildren, Beau, Brody and Brock.

In addition to his mother, father, and step-mother, Jerry was preceded in death by a grandson, Wyatt Dinger.

The family will greet guests on Friday, September 25, 2026, from 4 – 7 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A second visitation will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 10 – 11 AM in the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ at Port Washington where Pastor Jim Shamel will lead a celebration of Jerry’s life beginning at 11 AM. A meal and fellowship will follow the service in the church social hall. Cremation care will follow the services.

Memorial contributions in Jerry’s name may be directed to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, PO Box 36, Port Washington, Ohio 43837.