Richard David Dilley

Richard David Dilley, age 79, of Oakland Township, MI, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2025, taking with him all the enormous love he felt from family near and far in the preceding weeks. Richard was born in Mount Clemens, MI, in January of 1946; though his future wife, Barbara Schnell (then of Armada, MI), would be born in the same hospital just two short weeks later, it took another 15 years for them to meet and become friends in high school geometry class. Richard graduated from Utica High School in 1964 and proudly served in the U.S. Army 1965-1968, spending one year in Vietnam, and earned his accounting degree from Western Michigan University in 1972. During his service, he and Barbara fell in love through hundreds of handwritten letters wherein they carefully planned their shared future and built a solid foundation based on hopes, dreams, and shared values. Together, they raised three children, of whom he was endlessly proud. Richard worked as a CPA and corporate controller, balancing the demands of restructuring businesses and extensive work travel along with family life. He rarely took vacation but learned to enjoy travel later in life, experiencing many adventures with Barbara, his brother Lowell, and his sister-in-law Ruth. One of his proudest accomplishments in retirement was taking the lead on personally contacting every classmate to encourage attendance at his 50th high school reunion in 2014, leading to a successful weekend for all who came to celebrate. Voted ‘cutest dimples’ as a high school athlete, he never lost that endearing smile, and though thoughtful and rational, could be counted on to bring a silly face and laughter to any situation. He could also be quiet and reserved, but would instantly cheer and light up at the sight of his dearly cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed golf, Motown music, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, Scrabble, Yahtzee, Trivial Pursuit, and beamed the best smile during the most heartwarming and human moments of any film. He was preceded in death by his parents Karl and I. Lucille Dilley; his siblings Larry Dilley, Ila Potapa, Wanda Topous, Jerry Dilley, Lowell Dilley, and Roger Dilley; his father and mother-in-law, Raymond and Virginia Schnell; his brothers-in-law Frederick Topous, Gerald Potapa, Ronald Taylor, William Love, and Michael Masakowski; and his sisters-in-law Lee Dilley and Joann Love. In addition to numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family, Richard is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 57 and a half years, Barbara; his children Scott (Michelle) Dilley, Dr. Debra (Adam) Burbach, and Denise Dilley; his grandchildren Bryan (Katelyn) Dalton, Alex (Katie) Dalton, and Abby Burbach; his great-grandsons Leo Dalton, Liam Dalton, Xander Dalton, Kayden Dalton, and Bennett Dalton; his sisters-in-law Charlotte Dilley and Ruth Dilley; and his sisters-in-law Rosemary Norman, Nancy Masakowski, and Susan Taylor, who lovingly cared for him and provided both him and Barbara companionship and comfort during his final years with dementia. Should you wish to make a donation in his memory, it may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org). Visitation Saturday, January 3rd, 9:00am-12:00pm with a 12:00pm funeral service at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons 54880 Van Dyke at 25 Mile Rd. (SHELBY TOWNSHIP). Celebratory luncheon to follow at Cherry Creek Golf Club, 52000 Cherry Creek Dr, Shelby Township, from 1:00pm-4:00pm. Private Burial at Great Lakes National Cemetery to follow on a later date. Share memories with the family at their "On Line Guest Book"@ WujekCalcaterra.com.

Richard David Dilley

January 11, 1946 - December 17, 2025