Walter J. Dignan

Walter J. Dignan, age 81, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by his family on Monday, May 30, 2016. Born in West Grove, PA on March 5, 1935, Walt was a son of the late George J. and Margaret H. (Connell) Dignan. He proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Air Force from 1954 until 1958 and while on tour in Germany, would meet his future wife, Herta in the small town of Olendorf. A 34 year employee of DuPont, Walt worked as a lab Technician for the company until his retirement. A man of strong Catholic faith, he was a parishioner of St. Margaret of Scotland Church, where he served as an usher as well as a Eucharistic Minister and gave of his time as a volunteer at Christiana Hospital. Walt was an avid hunter and enjoyed trips to his cabin with family and friends. He was a meticulous gardener and spent many hours maintaining his yard. Above all else, Walt was a devoted husband, loving father, beloved brother and adoring grandfather and great grandfather. He will be very dearly missed. In addition to his parents, Walt was preceded in death by his brother, George. He is survived by his wife of almost 59 years, Herta M. (Kramer) Dignan; children, Michael W. Dignan of Wilmington, DE, Ann M. Carpenter of Elkton, MD, Steven G. Dignan (Debbie) of Lewes, DE and Marlene H. Fiala (Ted) of Landenberg, PA; brother, Charles N. Dignan (Bernadette) of Chesterfield, MO; 10 grandchildren; and 1 great grandson. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 pm until 7 pm on Friday evening, June 3, 2016 at St. Margaret of Scotland R.C. Church, 2431 Frazer Road, Newark, DE 19702. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am on Saturday morning, June 4, 2016, at the church. A committal service with military honors will be held at 10 am on Tuesday morning, June 7, 2016 in the chapel of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2564 Chesapeake City Rd., Bear, DE. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Evergreen Alzheimer’s Adult Day Care, 3000 Newport Gap Pike, Wilmington, DE 19808 or to St. Margaret of Scotland R.C. Church, at the address listed above.