Obituary of Kenneth E. Dingman

On March 17^th, 2025, the Revered Kenneth E Dingman completed his journey on earth and was called to his heavenly resting place.

Ken was born on March 25, 1946, to Marian (Cook) and A. Everett Dingman.  Ken was raised with his sister Norma Jean Brown in the town of Van Hornesville, NY.  He attended Owen D Young schools and graduated in 1964, third in his class.  He started his education with 2 years at Adirondack Community College and then transferred for 2 more years at Hartwick College.

In 1963, Ken went to a community block party and saw a Richfield Springs girl, Carol Skinner.  At her senior prom, Ken asked her to be his wife, and on June 11, 1967, they vowed their love to each other in a small church in Starkville, NY.

In 1968, Carol and Ken set out on a new adventure to Gettysburg, PA, where Ken attended Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Seminary, graduating with a Master's Degree in Divinity.  Carol and Ken then moved to Penn Yan, NY to complete a 2 year internship awaiting a calling from a Lutheran church in need of pastoral leadership.

In 1972, Ken accepted a call to serve St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Fort Plain, NY, and St. John’s Lutheran Church, Freysbush, NY.  It was such a blessing to Ken and Carol to be called back to an area a mere 30 minutes from both of their families.  Unlike other ministers, Ken served these churches for his entire career, and in 1992, he also began serving St. James Lutheran Church, Starkville, NY, his home congregation, and the small church where Ken and Carol were wed.

Ken’s ministry was not limited to these churches.  He became the minister for an entire community. Rarely did you come across someone in or around the Fort Plan area who had not been to a wedding, funeral, or baptism that Ken had officiated at.  He was a volunteer Little League coach for many years, was on the board of the Fort Plain Senior Center, and was a part of the Palatine Society.  He was a lifetime member of the Fort Plain Volunteer Fire Department.  Ken and his family spent summer vacations in Caroga Lake, where Ken preached at the Caroga Lake Chapel.  Ken was also honored to be the Dean of the Foothills Conference.

Ken spent his “free time” enjoying a ride on a motorcycle, watching NASCAR, reading westerns, fishing, and hunting.  He often spent hours in the woods writing sermons for Sunday morning or singing hymns to drive the deer to others.

After nine long years of trying, Ken and Carol were blessed with their daughter, Rebecca Ann.  Rebecca married her soulmate Chad Root, and the two of them blessed Ken and Carol with two grandsons, Quincy Everett Root and Zane Douglas Root.

In 2017, after 45 years of service to the community and to the ELCA Upstate New York Synod, Ken retired.  Ken and Carol moved to Winter Garden, FL, to be with her family.

Ken’s service to his family, his community, and to the work of our Lord, Jesus Christ, will be greatly missed.  We ask that in lieu of flowers, you please donate to a charity of your choice in Ken’s memory.  We also ask that everyone continue Rev’s ministry by performing a little act of service for someone else. 

“As far as possibilities go, everything is possible for the person who believes.” Mark 9:23

A private family graveside service will he held at the convenience of the family.