Sheila K Dilks' Obituary
Sheila Kay Dilks of Hopewell Twp passed away suddenly Saturday evening, October 28, 2023, at Inspira Medical Center-Vineland. Although she had been in declining health for the past year, her death was sudden and unexpected. She was 79 years old.
Born in Bridgeton on April 7, 1944, she was the daughter of Anna Mary (Tarpine) Sheppard and the late Ronald Watson Sheppard. She was the loving wife of David Maxwell “Max” Dilks.
Sheila was the oldest of seven children, three brothers and two sisters. She was predeceased in death by a sister, in addition to an aunt and three uncles. She grew up and resided in Greenwich during her younger years and was an active participant in a 4-H Horseback riding club, “The Circle-G Riders”. While growing up, she greatly treasured the precious moments spent down on the farm with her Dad and her grandparents.
She graduated from Bridgeton High School in 1962 and began working at Bridgeton Junior High as a secretary in the guidance office until 1969.
On November 20, 1965, Sheila married the love of her life, Maxwell Dilks. They would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary next month. Sheila spent several years at home as a devoted homemaker and mom until returning to work as a secretary at Hopewell Crest School. She was an excellent baker and won several best of show ribbons at the annual Cumberland County Fair. She enjoyed baking hundreds of Christmas cookies each year and would give them as gifts to family and friends. The Hopewell School teachers were always excited to have one of the “Dilks kids” in their class, knowing that her cookies were always a gift on the holiday. She served as President of the Hopewell Township PTA and enjoyed volunteering and helping wherever she was needed. Sheila was also a member of the Hopewell Stow-Creek Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary for as long as it was in existence.
During her years at Hopewell Crest School, she worked for several years as a substitute secretary in the main office until she began to work full-time as a secretary in the Child Study Team Office. She finished her career working as a secretary in the school library. In June 2011, she retired from Hopewell Crest School after 25 years of service and was awarded the 2011 New Jersey Education Association’s Educational Support Professional of the Year for Cumberland County.
After her retirement, she continued to volunteer at school for as long as her health allowed. Sheila loved cooking Sunday dinners for her family and cherished that time every week that everyone came home again.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Maxwell Dilks, her loving children David Watson Dilks and his wife Marie; Daniel “Danny” C. Dilks, Sr. and his wife Jennifer, and Hope Elizabeth Zeck and her husband Roddy, all of Hopewell Twp. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren who were her pride and joy - Daniel “Danny” Dilks, Jr., Jacob “Jake” Dilks, Adalee “Addie” Dilks, Everett “Rhett” Dilks, Megan Zeck, Tyler Zeck, Eric Lomberk, and Shelby Schweitzer. She is also survived by her mother, five siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday morning November 4, 2023, at 11:00 am from the SRAY-WEBSTER FUNERAL HOME, Upper Deerfield Twp. A viewing will be held on Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the funeral home and on Saturday morning one hour prior to the services. The interment will take place in Overlook Cemetery, Bridgeton.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of Sheila be made to the Alzheimer’s Association 225 North Michigan Ave. FI.17, Chicago, IL 60601
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