Oliver Joseph Dellies, 76, of Annapolis, died of natural causes May 10 at Anne Arundel Medical Center after a three month illness.

Born Aug. 25, 1928, and raised in Watersmeet, Mich., Mr. Dellies lived in Duluth, Minn., Severn and then Cape St. Claire for 39 years. He worked as a wheelsman on an ore freighter on the Great Lakes, graduated from the Embry-Riddle School of Aviation in Florida and served in the Army during the Korean War.

Mr. Dellies retired from Westinghouse Electric Corp. after 27 years as a senior engineer. A pilot for more than 60 years, he earned his airplane mechanics license in 1995 in Cambridge, and was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 571. He was a member and past president of the Maryland Flying Farmers for 30 years and of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

He and his wife of 54 years, Helen Barbara Dellies, refurbished an airplane with wooden wings and linen covers, and worked on several others. They also enjoyed sailing.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Christine M. Newport of Edgewater, Dennis W. Dellies of Barclay and Alicia A. Hogan of Cape St. Claire; four sisters, Lola Thomas of Oshkosh., Wis., Elaine Sampsell of New Berry, Mich., Arlene Corsi of Tucson, Ariz., and Bessie Carol of Las Vegas, Nev.; and three grandchildren,

He was the brother of the late Richard Dellies and Laura Junte.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Gloria Dei! Lutheran Church, with private burial planned. Arrangements are by Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Gloria Dei! Lutheran Church, 461 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012.

As published in The Capital Newspaper on 5/13/2005