Bernard A. Dietrich

Bernard A. "Barney" Dietrich, 92, of Blandon, passed away, surrounded by his loving family, on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at Keystone Villa of Fleetwood.

Born February 28, 1933 in Dryville, Barney was the son of the late Henry A. and Agnes R. (Kramer) Dietrich. He and the love of his life, his wife of 72 years, Esther M. "Essie" (Gilbert) Dietrich, were married on June 20, 1953.

Barney served his country honorably and faithfully as a specialist in the United States Army during the Korean War.

Barney was a 1950 graduate of Fleetwood Area High School. After his service in the Army, he went on to perform repairs at Singer Sewing Machine Company and was a dispatcher for Chicago Helicopters, Blue Island, IL. Barney then embarked on a long career as a travel agent and then manager of Berkshire Travel Agency for over 40 years.

Barney was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fleetwood, where he served on church council and also taught adult Sunday School. Barney was a member of the Jaycees, the Breakfast Brothers in Fleetwood, and the Horace M. Kieffer, Post 625, American Legion, Fleetwood.

Barney was awarded the "Fleetwood Hometown Hero" Award in 2025 in recognition of his longtime service and commitment to Fleetwood. He served as the President of the Fleetwood Council of Community Organizations and was in charge of the 100th Anniversary of Fleetwood Celebration in 1975. He also coached little league baseball for many years and was instrumental in the founding of Smith Field, Fleetwood.

Most of all, Barney was a family man. He adored his wife, Essie, and his wonderful children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved traveling all over the world and his fishing trips and family vacations to Canada. He also loved the ponies, especially his trips with Essie and their friends to Saratoga, NY.

In addition to his wife, Essie, Barney is survived by his five children, Donna L. (Dietrich) Fick, wife of Kenneth L. Fick, Fleetwood, Dawn L. (Dietrich) Nemeth, wife of Douglas E. Nemeth, Blandon, Diane L. (Dietrich) Miller, wife of David S. Miller, Skippack, Dale A. Dietrich, husband of Debra S. (Noll) Dietrich, Fleetwood, and Dean E. Dietrich, husband of Donna A. (Durda) Dietrich, Fort Myers, FL. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Nikki, Matthew and his wife, Rachel, Seth and his wife, Lindsey, Tiffany and her husband, Jose, Meghan and her husband, Jeff, Chris and his wife, Jenny, Trevor, Ian and his wife, Anna, Andrew and his wife, Jenny Rose, Andrea and her husband, Andrew, Danielle and her husband, John and Brandon and his partner, Miranda, his great-grandchildren, Gracyn, Grant, Rowan, Keegan, Avery, Mila, Evan, Noah, Gavin, Evie, Benjamin, Millie, Daniel, Baby Miller on the way, Forrest, Phoenix, Charlie, Leila and Jeanne, and by his sister-in-law, Shirley Dietrich, Fleetwood.

Along with his parents, Barney was preceded in death by his grandson, Zachary D. Nemeth, his brother, Barry E. Dietrich, and by his sister, Shirley A. Shepherd.

Funeral Services for Barney will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 11:00 am at Walbert Funeral Home & Crematory, 14390 Kutztown Rd, Fleetwood. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Berks County Memorial Gardens, Fleetwood.

Viewings for Barney will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and again on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, both at the funeral home.

Donations may be made in Barney memory to AsceraCare Hospice, 7660 Imperial Way Suite 410, Allentown, PA 18195 or to Keystone Villa, in Memory of Bernard Dietrich, 501 Hoch Road, Blandon, PA 19510.

Walbert Funeral Home & Crematory, Fleetwood, is honored to be caring for Barney and his family. Messages of comfort and sympathy can be offered at www.WalbertFuneralHome.com.