Dimit, Charles Howard 1896-1973

DIMIT, BROWN, GOODRICH, MYERS, PALMER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 1/18/2012 at 10:48:34

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Dec. 4, 1973

C.H. DIMIT RITES TODAY

Charles Howard (Spike) Dimit, 77, of 1202 Elm St., died early Tuesday, Dec. 4, at St. Francis Manor. Death was attributed to cancer, and he had been a patient at St. Francis the past three months.

The son of William C. and Christina C. Brown Dimit, he was born March 20, 1896, in Chester Township. He was graduated from Grinnell High School and attended Grinnell College. He was a veteran of World War I.

On May 30, 1924, he was married to Erma Goodrich at Albia. The couple had four children: Charles Howard Dimit Jr. of San Fransico, Calif.; Mrs. William J. (Donna) Myers of Austin, Minn.; Dennis D. Dimit of Fresno, Calif.; and Gerald G. Dimit, also of Austin.

In earlier years, Mr. Dimit was associated with Manatt and Dimit Clothing Store on Fourth Ave. Later he operated a Skelly station. In 1937, he was associated with the former Grinnell Provision Co., which owned the Central and North meat markets. He retired from the grocery business in 1958 and for a time was affiliated with the Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company and worked sales at the Grinnell Livestock Exchange.

Mr. Dimit was active in Masonic work, having been the immediate past treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Iowa and past senior grand deacon of the Grand Lodge. He was a member of Hermon Masonic Lodge No. 273 of Grinnell and past master of the lodge. He was also a member of Palestine Chapter No. 143 of the Royal Arch Masons, Oriental Commandery No. 20 of Newton, King Solomon Council No. 20 of Royal and Select Masters of Iowa at Marshalltown, and the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine in Des Moines. He served as a Masonic instructor of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, as well as district lecturer for the Grand Lodge. He was also a member of Grinnell Elks Lodge No. 1266 and was past exalted ruler of the lodge. Mr. Dimit was a 50-year member of Focht-Tennant Post No. 53, American Legion.

Mr. Dimit was preceded in death by his wife Erma on Jan. 6, 1969; his sisters, Mrs. Ethel Kirchberger and Mrs. Catherine Montgomery; a brother, G. Vestal Dimit; and another brother who died in infancy. Survivors include his four children and eight grandchildren, Susan and Charles Myers of Austin, Eric and Brian Dimit of Fresno, and Dana, Cheryl, and David Dimit of Austin; a brother, William R. Dimit of Salem, Ore.; and a sister, Mrs. George (Aletha) Palmer of Newburg.

Funeral services for Mr. Dimit were held at 1:30 p.m. today (Thursday) at the First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Hugh A. Shiveley, pastor of the church, officiating. Organist was Mrs. Willard Heffner. Pallbearers were Lyman G. Case, Tom Eggelstone, Glen Harris, Donald Phillips, David Ross, and Hoyt Woody. Burial was in Hazelwood Cemetery.

Masonic graveside rites were conducted by Grand Lodge officers of Masons in Iowa. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of Mrs. Wayne Reams or the Grand Lodge of Masons in Iowa Educational Fund. Friends may call at the Smith Funeral Home for additional information.