Roland Dilks

Roland Elmer Dilks, 78, of Paola, Kansas, passed away August 28, 2012 at North Point Skilled Nursing Center. Roland was born July 15, 1934 in Urich, Missouri to Isaac Charles and Mabel Mary Clegg Dilks. After high school in 1957, Roland enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1963. Roland and his first wife, Norma Jean Ginn, were married for several years and had three children Rick, David and Janice. He married his surviving spouse Helen Jeanette Bufkin of Montgomery, Alabama on February 10, 1978. They moved to rural Paola in 1980 to enjoy life in the county. During his life Roland worked for General Motors in the Quality Assurance Department for over 18 years. He then became a salesman for Modern American Life Insurance Company retiring in 1996 after 40 years of service. His hobbies included golfing, gardening, and wood-working. He loved nature and had a knack for nursing injured wild animals back to health. Roland was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by sons Rick Dilks of Paola, KS and David and wife Youngbok Dilks of Ashburn, VA; daughter Janice and husband Michael Monley of Overland Park, KS; sisters Mabel Young of Homeland, CA, Donna Brashear of Trenton, MO, and Joann Cope of Lincoln, NE; brother Isaac Donald Dilks, of Latour, MO; 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to American Lung Association. Blairstown Cemetery, 1096 NW 1400 Rd, Blairstown,Missouri Service: Saturday, September 01, 2012 at 2:00 PM Visitation: Friday, August 31, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM