Erma Dilyard

Erma Arlene (Bentz) Dilyard, 89, of Wooster,  passed away Saturday, January 2, 2021 at The Avenue of Wooster.

A private family service will be held at Roberts Funeral Home-Sherwood Chapel on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 with the Reverend Kris Patt officiating.  Burial will be at Sherwood Memorial Gardens.
Erma was the youngest of eight children born to John and Iva (Davis) Bentz in Walnut Creek, Ohio on October 21, 1931.

She met her future husband, James Dilyard, on the school bus and married him on June 16, 1951.

Early in her marriage, Erma did bookkeeping for her husband and father-in-law at their business, Ray Dilyard & Son Autobody in Madisonburg, Ohio.  She later worked in the Wooster School System at Lincolnway School and Edgewood Junior High School as an assistant librarian.  She finished out her working career Wayne County National Bank for over 20 years until she retired.  She was a lifetime member of the Church of the Cross United Methodist Church in Madisonburg, Ohio.  She enjoyed collecting antiques and refurbishing furniture.  For many years, she and James were active participants in a card club composed of high school friends.

Erma will be deeply missed by her sons James M. (Kim) Dilyard of Burbank and John R. Dilyard of Brooklyn, New York; and grandchildren Bryan, Ian, Katherine, Allison and Julianna.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jon and Iva Bentz, and siblings, Nora, Henry, Velma, Ellsworth, Melvin, Daniel and Richard as well as her beloved husband of 55 years, James in 2006.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare at 1900 Akron Road, Wooster, Ohio, 44691.