Dr. Gorge Lewis DiCiro, 92, passed away peacefully Friday, October 14, 2022 in Roseville, California, surrounded by his family and his beloved wife, Dottie. The son of Dominic and Rose DiCiro, George was born May 5, 1930, in Chicago. Growing up in Olney, George played football and met his lifelong friend, Max Hocking.

After receipt of his BS from the University of Illinois, he went on to dental school, earning his DDS from Washington University in St. Louis. Commissioned into the Air Force in 1955, he completed his residency at the Presidio and then was stationed at the Ramstein (Germany)Dental Clinic     in     1956. As chance would have it, that same year his dental assistant went on maternity leave, and Dottie, (“Dorle” as he affectionately called her) became his temporary assistant. And with the universal language of love, their 66-year romance began.

After his tour of duty, George proposed, and they settled in Poplar Bluff, MO, growing their family and dental practice. Their four children, Nick (Linda), Kurt (Sonya), Angie (Curt Anderson), and Torrey (Missy) were born and raised in Poplar Bluff. Throughout , this period, he taught his children to love and respect the outdoors, taking them hunting, fishing, floating, camping, boating and enjoying dinners on the lake and at their Little Black River farm. He retired from dentistry in 1990, and he and Dottie moved back to Olney to be closer to his older brother, Charlie and wife, Maggie.

George came from “good stock” and had the patience of Job, until he didn’t. He believed in the power of a glass of milk, an unabridged dictionary, saying “please” and “thank you”, high school and lifetime sports, an honest day’s work, reading the classics and a game of Monopoly. He made sure the important stuff always got done: nightly dinner together as a family, homework, swim lessons, vocabulary tests, car maintenance, and of course, brushed teeth. He enjoyed a good meal, and shared his love of fresh whipped cream, homemade ice cream, toasted ravioli and IBC Root Beer floats with three generations of his family. He was a man of integrity and few words, and he was a marvelous son, brother, husband, father, grandfather to 18 and great-grandfather to eight.

We are especially grateful for our extended family members, Betty Foal and Leniesha Newton. Their loving care and countless games of Uno during the past year were extraordinary. We are humbled by the many health-care practitioners’ kind and compassionate care given over the years, months and throughout the last days of his life. We are overwhelmed by the many friends who have shared a story, provided comforting thoughts, and sent prayers rising.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online to the public libraries in Olney or Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Cremation rites were accorded as we prepare for Celebrations of Life in Poplar Bluff and Olney, and the scattering of his ashes on the family farm next spring.

Please direct correspondence to the DiCiro family, 1650 Eskaton Loop, Roseville, CA 95747

Olney Gazette, Olney, IL – Thursday, October 27, 2022