Dilas K. Lago

Dilas Kenneth Lago passed away early morning on Friday, November 4, 2016 at the age of 94 years old with his beloved wife Edna Lois by his side. He was born in Bay City, Michigan on July 11, 1922 to Benjamin and Wilhemina (Hine) Lago. Dilas was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Edna Lois (Robertson) Lago, three daughters, Sandra (John)Brown, Benieve (Richard)Wenner and Patricia Lago-Avery (Joseph Avery). He was the beloved grandfather of Brad Brown (Samantha), Diana Crump (Stephen), Sharon Lisson (Jason Flagler) Matt Avery( Christina) and Keith Avery (Kara). He is predeceased by his parents and several siblings, Laurabelle Maxson, Wilhimina Everett, Valerie Ciaciuch, Garnet Kabot, Elmer Lago and Vern Lago. He is survived by his only remaining sibling, Beneva Schemm, and by nine great grandchildren, Madeline Lisson, Lily and Violet Crump, Lacey and Logan Brown, Charlotte and Annaliese Avery and Owen and Myles Flagler. He was also a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Dilas joined the US Army in the early days of WWII, and was assigned to the famed First Division, (Big Red One) seeing action in North Africa, Sicily, and Europe. He was one of the survivors of the landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day, and saw plenty of action as the First Division rolled over France, Belgium, and Germany. When he came home in 1945, he proceeded to build the life that red-blooded American men thought appropriate in those days. He went to work, got married, bought a house and raised three girls, each of them eventually achieving a Masters degree.
He always made time after work to play with the girls and later grandchildren as they grew up, teaching them to ride bicycles, play softball, and card games, how to ice-fish and shoot pool. He made up funny stories to tell them at bedtime. He loved children and was the favorite uncle of many nieces and nephews. He was noted for his great generosity although he was a man who lived a modest life. He did not want a traditional funeral, believing that it encouraged exaggerations of the value of a life, but all the above is the truth. Dilas made a positive difference in the lives of many people who will miss him greatly. May he rest in peace. The family of Dilas Lago would like to express their sincere gratitude to Mr. Matthew Philips for his devotion and care of their loved one during the last three years of his life.
At the request of Dilas cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service is being planned for a later date. Contributions in his honor can be made to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, 7168 Columbia Gateway Dr. Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21046.