Roger E. Dibble

Roger E. Dibble, 91, of Ashtabula, passed away August 10, 2026.

Roger was born February 10, 1935, in Ashtabula, Ohio, the son of Jesse Porter and Anna Eleanor (West) Dibell. A lifelong Ashtabula resident, Roger graduated from Ashtabula High School in 1953.

It was during his high school years that Roger met the love of his life, Bess J. Mann. Roger and Bess were married February 19, 1954, in Lawrence, Indiana. Together they shared a love that spanned 65½ years and 63½ years of marriage until Bess's passing on September 16, 2017.

Roger began working at True Temper Corp. in 1953 and spent more than 30 years there as a steelworker before retiring from the plant in 1983. He was also a member of the True Temper baseball team. Retirement from the plant, however, did not mean Roger was ready to stop working or serving his community.

Roger had served as a member of the Ashtabula City Police Auxiliary from 1963 to 1972. Following his retirement from True Temper, he put himself through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in 1984 and embarked on a second career in law enforcement. While applying to the Ashtabula County Sheriff's Office and undergoing his polygraph examination, Roger was told he was “so clean he squeaked!” He went on to serve as an Ashtabula County Deputy Sheriff, and with the Roaming Shores Police Department before retiring from law enforcement in 1999.

Roger had a great sense of humor, a quick wit and an enduring appreciation for a good “Dad joke.” He especially enjoyed catching nurses, doctors and aides off guard by suddenly yelling “OW!” while they were doing absolutely nothing painful, just to see their reaction. Throughout their many years together, however, his favorite target was Bess, whom he took particular pleasure in riling up.

Family was an important part of Roger's life. He enjoyed family gatherings and took an active interest in the lives and activities of his children and grandchildren, proudly attending their sporting events and band performances and sharing in his sons' Scouting and Soap Box Derby activities.

Roger also enjoyed fishing, Frisbee, playing pool, horseshoes and poker, and working in his yard. A familiar part of his routine was enjoying breakfast at Aunt Judy's Diner, where he especially enjoyed the staff and the friendships he made there.

Roger's greatest legacy is the large family he and Bess created together. He is survived by his four sons, Paul (Bonnie) Dibble, Gary (Amanda K.) Dibble, Dennis (Renee) Dibble, and Timothy (Lisa) Dibble; 25 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and his best friend, Bill Burgoon.

Roger was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bess J. Dibble; his parents, Jesse Porter and Anna Eleanor (West) Dibell; his sister, Beatrice Dibell-McNutt; his brother, Clayton E. “Sonny” Dibell; his grandsons, Andrew and Jonathon Dibble; his great-granddaughter, Piper Dibble; and one nephew and two nieces.

Roger's family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Sabri, the Fourth Floor and Emergency Department staffs of Ashtabula Regional Medical Center (ARMC), and Hospice of the Western Reserve for the compassionate care, kindness and dignity they provided Roger during his final days.

Memorial donations may be made in Roger’s honor to the Marine Corps League, c/o Tom Lucas, Jr., 3105 Jefferson Rd., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004, or DAV Chapter 39, c/o Tim Dibble, 5613 Madison Ave., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004. Memorial contribution envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Fleming-Billman Funeral Home, 526 W. Prospect Rd, Ashtabula, Funeral services will begin at 11:30 a.m., with Pastor Mark Mong of Unity Presbyterian Church officiating. Following the service, Roger will be laid to rest with Bess at Edgewood Cemetery.

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