Thomas Wayne Dike, age 72, formerly of Estes Park, CO and Appleton, WI went home to the Lord on December 6, 2021 in Apache Junction, AZ. Tom was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Coralee (Lutz) Dike on November 26, 2021.
Tom was born August 16, 1949 to Robert and Ilabell Dike in McCook, NE then moved to Estes Park, CO in 1953. He served in the United States Air Force from 1971 - 1977. After being stationed at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam he was then stationed at Sawyer Air Force Base in Michigan, when he met his future wife, Coralee Lutz and they were married on May 29, 1976 in Appleton, WI.
In the early years of their marriage Tom drove school bus for the Appleton School Systems until he started working at Miller Electric as a welder. He retired in 2009 after 32 years with Miller Electric. Tom spent his years coaching and cheering on his children throughout all of their sports and life events. Tom and his wife enjoyed traveling, with some of their favorite trips being to Disney World or on a Disney Cruise. In 2017 Tom and Coralee decided to leave the cold winters of Wisconsin behind and headed to Apache Junction, AZ where they lived until the time of their deaths.
Tom is survived by his children; Kelly Dike of Smithfield, KY, James (Heidi) Dike of Little Chute, WI, and Shelly Dike of Neenah, WI. He is further survived by his precious grandsons, Levi and Joshua Dike. Tom is also survived by his sisters, Kathy (Dennis) Ramsey of Longmont, CO and Debbie (Keith) Taylor of Westminster, CO along with his nieces, nephew, great nieces and great nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Ilabell (Billie) Dike and in-laws George and Leola Lutz.
Coralee Ann (Lutz) Dike, age 65 of Apache Junction, Arizona and formerly of Appleton, Wisconsin was suddenly taken to her heavenly home on November 26, 2021. She was born April 16, 1956 to George and Leola Lutz in Appleton, WI. Coralee met Tom and they were married on May 29, 1976 and shared 45 years together. In the early years of their marriage Coralee worked at Outagamie County Health Center and Appleton Memorial Hospital. Once her children were born she became a stay at home Mom where she was also an in-home Daycare Provider for dozens of children for more than 30 years. Coralee was an avid Disney fan and many of her fondest memories are of her many trips to Disney World and the joys of walking the decks on their Disney cruises. In 2017 Tom and Coralee decided to leave the cold winters of Wisconsin behind and headed to Apache Junction, AZ where they lived until the time of their deaths.
She is survived by her children Kelly Dike of Smithfield, KY, James (Heidi) Dike of Little Chute, WI and Shelly Dike of Neenah, WI and her most precious joys, her grandsons Levi and Joshua. Coralee is further survived by her brothers Warren (Barb) Lutz and Garry (Teena) Lutz both of Menasha,WI, Wayne (Sue) Lutz of Red Granite, WI and her sister, Nona (John) Weber of Crestwood, KY. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Leola Lutz and her in-laws Robert and Billie Dike.
Coralee chose to be cremated. A joint Celebration of Life for Thomas and Coralee will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at Valley Funeral Home, 2211 N Richmond St. Appleton, from 10am to 1pm.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Thomas and Coralee Dike, please visit our floral store.