Lt. Col. Nicholas G. Dehlinger Sr.

Nicholas G. Dehlinger, 95, of Longwood, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2021. Nick was born in Buffalo, NY in 1925 to Nicholas and Emma Dehlinger. In 1943, with his parents' permission at age 17, Nick joined the Army Air Corps, later the U.S. Air Force. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in 1945. Nick's Air Force career as a fighter pilot included year-long deployments in Korea and Vietnam. Nick married his beautiful wife, Audrey, in 1946 and they lived happily together until her death in 2007. During Nick's military career, the family was stationed in Virginia, Texas, England, North Carolina, and Florida. Throughout his career, Nick was awarded many commendations including the Air Force Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, and the USAF Special Operations Forces medal. After retiring from the military as a Lt. Colonel in 1970, Nick was involved in agriculture and real estate businesses with Audrey. Nick's hobbies included golf, playing bridge, fishing, and flying. Nick owned and flew his own airplane until 5 weeks before his death. Nick is survived by his 6 sons, Nicholas III, Charles (Robin), Steven (Mary Ellen), Patrick (Karen), Paul (Charlotte), and Michael (Annette), 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Nick and Audrey were wonderful parents to their 6 sons and modeled for them love and devotion for each other and a great love for their country.

A funeral mass for Nicholas will be held Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Annunciation Catholic Church, 1020 Montgomery Road, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714. Following the funeral mass will be a graveside service with military honors will be held at All Faiths Memorial Park, 1390 Park Drive, Casselberry, Florida 32707. Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home of Altamonte Springs is serving the family.