Michael “Mike” G. Dilling, of Warsaw, passed away unexpectedly at 12:38 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at Lutheran Hospital of Fort Wayne, at the age of 70.

Mike Dilling

He was born on March 28, 1953, in El Paso, Texas, to Kenneth Gene Dilling and Marjorie Mae (Smith) Dilling. Mike’s family moved to Indiana, where he graduated from North Side High School in Fort Wayne.

Mike met the love of his life, Ruth Elaine Beck, while working at Camp Alexander Mack in Milford. They were married at the camp on July 27, 1974, and celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary this year. They shared their life together in everything they did from church, building their own house, raising their family and enjoying their grandchildren.

In 1982, he opened Hoosier Energy Associates in Warsaw. He was a distributor of geothermal heating and cooling equipment throughout a three-state area. He was the owner and operator until he retired in 2020. Even after retirement, Mike continued to help his former clients with advice and assistance. Throughout his life he always enjoyed woodworking, singing, volunteering and his favorite pastime — spending as much time with his grandchildren as he could. Family was very important to him, and he was always available anytime for his children, from their childhood to their adult lives, because he never stopped being Dad. Mike was a longtime member of North Winona Church of the Brethren in Warsaw where he was a very active leader. He had a big heart and would give you the shirt off of his back if you needed it. Camp Mack was always a special part of their lives; not only was Camp Mack where he and Ruth met, and where they were married, but he supported, served and participated there his entire life. He served on the board at Camp Mack and was a great friend to so many people. Mike will be forever loved and remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother who will be dearly missed.

He leaves behind his wife, Ruth Dilling, Warsaw; daughter, Jennifer (Christoph) Franck, Magstadt, Germany; son, Joseph (Melissa) Dilling, Indianapolis; and four grandchildren, Pascal and Caroline Franck, Magstadt, Germany, and Alexander and Benjamin Dilling, Indianapolis. Also surviving are three sisters, Yvonne Dilling, San Antonio, Texas, Marti Dilling Roberts, Greenwood, and LaRita Dilling, Greenwood. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother-in-law, Randall Roberts.

Friends and family may visit from 4-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. There will also be visitation an hour prior to the service, from 10-11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 3.

Mike’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor Michael Smith.

Memorial donations may be directed to Camp Alexander Mack, P.O. Box 158, Milford, IN 46542, a special place to the family.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.