Delton R. Nihart

Delton R. “Doc” Nihart, age 88, of Bryan, Ohio, died at 2:50 A.M. on Friday, August 20, 2010, at his Hamilton Lake home. Mr. Nihart was a 1940 graduate of Edgerton High School and served in the United States Navy and then in the United States Army during World War II. He operated a Ford dealership in Continental, Ohio, for many years and then worked for Allied Eastern Corporation in Defiance, Ohio, where he was the company president. He started Powertrain Components in Bryan, of which he served as chairman of the board for thirty-three years. He was a former member of the Melbern United Methodist Church and was a current member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Bryan. He was also a longtime member of Edgerton Masonic Lodge #357, F & AM, of which he was a Past Master, and currently was a member of Bryan Masonic Lodge #215, the Scottish Rite, Zenobia Shrine, Bryan Moose Lodge #1064, Bryan Eagles Aerie #2233 and Orchard Hills Country Club. He was a former member of the Bryan Rotary Club. Delton R. “Doc” Nihart was born on February 28, 1922, in Melbern, Ohio, the son of John H. and Ethel B. (Dean) Nihart. He married Elaine M. Diederick on August 25, 1944, in Edgerton, Ohio, and she preceded him in death on July 13, 2003. Surviving are one daughter, Bradly (Jill) VanZyl, of Hastings, Michigan, and one son, Jack (Pam) Nihart, of Edgerton, and five grandchildren, Phillip and Meghan VanZyl, and Jayma, Jessica and Max Nihart, and a special friend, Jean Hilbert. He was also preceded in death by one brother, John D. Nihart. Visitation will be held on Monday, August 23, 2010, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan, with a Masonic Service to follow at 8:00 P.M. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 24, 2010, at 11:00 A.M. in the funeral home with Pastor Dwight Bowers officiating. Interment will follow in Farmer Cemetery. Memorial contributions are requested to a hospice of the donor’s choice or to the Edgerton Area Foundation.