Avery "Prope" Dietter

Avery “Prope” Dietter

Postman, Veteran

“Mayor of Ancramdale”

Avery “Prope” Dietter (95) of Ancramdale passed away peacefully on August 17, 2023, in his home surrounded by his beloved family.

Born on October 26, 1927, in Ancram Lead Mines, Prope liked to tell people that he was older than Ancramdale because the hamlets name didn’t change until the early 1930’s. He was the 10th child of 16 born to his parents Ernest and Annabelle (Lown) Dietter. Prope would live his entire life along a half a mile stretch of County Route 8.

On September 22, 1950, Uncle Sam came calling. Prope would be trained at Ft. Devens, MA and then placed on a ship bound for Korea. He would land in Pusan, Korea just in time for Easter Sunday services in 1951. He was a member of the Army Co. D. 17th Infantry Regiment of the Army’s 7th Division, serving in its Heavy Weapons Company. He would direct fire for the 81mm mortars. In one firefight they would launch 5,096 rounds in a five-day period. The guns grew so hot that water from their canteens and then cold coffee were used to cool the mortar tubes. He would be wounded in action in June of 1951, earning him the purple heart. In June of 1952 he returned back to Ancramdale and his family. He would continue to serve in the Army Reserves, transferring to the HQ 9th Infantry Division Fort Dix, New Jersey until August 28, 1956. In addition to the Purple Heart, he earned the Combat Infantry Badge, the Korean Service Medal with 2 bronze service stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Metal and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Badge.

On November 28, 1953, he would marry his beloved Irene “Renie” (Boyles) Dietter. For 69 years they were devoted to each other. Very rarely would you see Prope without his Renie. Together they began a family and lived 67 years in Propes much loved salt box house. His meticulous lawn was the envy of all who saw it and he enjoyed nothing more than welcoming a neighbor on his front porch for an afternoon chat. 

Prope spoke often about his early years working on the Niver Pitcher Homestead and then as a store clerk at the Barton and Hoysradt General Store with his dear friend Ken Barton. It was here that he began his career with the United Stated Postal Service. He carried mail first in Ancramdale and then in later years in Copake, serving for 31 years total. He would retire in 1986, famously delivering his last round of mail from a limo. After retirement, he settled into a life enjoying his ever-growing family, visiting with friends over coffee at the Farmer’s Wife or lunch at the Moose on the Loose and mowing his lawn on his faithful Kubota tractor.

Avery was a devoted 81-year member of the Ancramdale Presbyterian church where he served many years as a trustee and worked on the construction of the church fellowship hall. He was a member of the Cadby-Shuts VFW #7552 of Hillsdale and the Pine Plains American Legion Post #426.

In addition to his wife Irene, Avery leaves his daughters and sons-in-law, Jean and Ron Brant and Gail and Nickie Heath, of Ancramdale; two granddaughters and grandsons-in-laws, Monica and Brandon Cleveland and Amanda and Edward Bishop, of Ancramdale; one grandson and grand-daughter-in-law Avery and Jennifer Heath, of Standfordville; five great-grandchildren, Sydney and Ronald Cleveland, Karlee Bishop and Lilah and Thomas Heath; and one brother Ellwood Dietter, of Millerton.  In addition to his parents, Avery was predeceased by his cherished son Avery Dietter Jr, seven brothers (Stanley, Wilber, Fredrick, George, Herbert, Andrew and John), seven sisters (Pauline, Janet, Geraldine, Olive, Barbara, Helen and Carol) and his cousin and his wife, James and Eleanor Hoag.

A time for sharing memories and offering condolences will be held on Tuesday August 22, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00pm at Peck & Peck Funeral Homes, 7749 S. Main Street, Pine Plains. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday August 23, 2023, at 12:00 noon at the Ancramdale Presbyterian Church with Reverend Jan Brooks officiating. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery, Pine Plains, NY.  In Lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Ancramdale Presbyterian Church, PO Box 99 Ancramdale, NY 12503. In Propes memory, we ask that you say thank you to a veteran. And take a moment to visit a neighbor, have a seat on their porch and enjoy a good chat. 

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