Walter Thomas Dishman of Lenoir went home to be with his Lord and Savior after his courageous two and a half year battle with cancer on Wednesday Oct. 10, 2012. He was 76.

Mr. Dishman was retired from Bernhardt Furniture Plant #3 after over 30 years of service. He was also the founder of Dishman and Sons Lawn Care.

Mr. Dishman was a faithful member of Trinity Baptist Church in Lenoir for over 26 years and was also a founding member of the Call of the Wild Hunting Club in Ashe County.

Mr. Dishman was preceded in death by his parents, Bud Henry Dishman and Frankie Oliver Dishman. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, RC, Joe, and Bobby Luke Dishman; and a grandson Danny James Harrold.

Those left to cherish the memory of Mr. Dishman include his loving wife of 56 years Anna Lou Friesland Dishman of the home; two sons, Gary Dishman, Buddy Dishman and wife Jennifer of Lenoir; two daughters, Kathy Dillard and husband Ronald of Hudson and Linda Severt and husband David of Lenoir; a brother Henry Dishman and wife Shirley of Hudson; five sisters, Annie Dell Wilcox and husband Herbert of West Jefferson and Mary Dodd and husband Greg of Colonial Beach, Va., Verdie Bare of Goldsboro, Angie Potter of Lenoir, and Anne Lefevers of Hudson.

Mr. Dishman is also survived by his grandchildren Angie Feasel and husband Justin of Clover, S.C., Lora Dillard and fiancé Daniel Taylor of Lincolnton, Becky Medley and husband Steve of West Jefferson, and Tyler Dishman of Lenoir.

He is also survived by his great-grandchildren Jacob Severt, Stephan Medley, Emilee Medley of West Jefferson, Bethany Call and Carson Feasel of Clover, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

The family received friends for Mr. Dishman at Pendry’s Funeral Home.

Funeral services were held Sunday Oct. 14, 2012, at Trinity Baptist Church in Lenoir with Rev. Russell Cook officiating. Burial followed at Blue Ridge Memorial Park.

Serving as pallbearers were Gary Dishman, Buddy Dishman, Tyler Dishman, Jamie Dishman, Coy Bare Jr., and Tim Bare.

Honorary Pallbearers were members of Mr. Dishman’s Sunday School Class.

The family requests that memorials be made to Caldwell Hospice & Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St. NW, Lenoir, NC 28645 or to Trinity Baptist Church 104 Mulberry Street NW Lenoir, NC 28645.

The family would also like to send a special thanks to Dr. Richard Orlowski and the staff of Carolina Oncology Specialists for their outstanding care and compassion for the last two and a half years.

Online condolences may be made at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com

Pendry’s Lenoir Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Dishman family.