
Dieleman, Dirk 'Rick'
Rick Dieleman, 71, passed away peacefully at home on the farm on December 30, 2024 after living with cancer for three years. He faced his illness with the same incredible strength of will and grace that he lived his life by

Rick was born on March 19, 1953 in Orangeville Ontario to Peter and Johanna Dieleman, the youngest sibling to Petrus (Narda), Audrey (late Jack), and predeceased by Dicky. Rick spent his early years developing a strong dislike of snakes in Belfountain, Ontario before moving with his parents in 1961 to his true home in Ravenna. He fell in love with the region as he spent his younger years hiking through the bush with his dog, chasing streams, building life-long friendships, and farming with his father. He started his own farming operation in his late teens, renting and rebuilding a neighbour’s barn to raise pigs. He married Darlene in October of 1976 after connecting over a bushel of apples. They became steadfast partners standing side-by-side, creating a life-long relationship built on unshakable trust, respect, and intentionally choosing each other each day. Together they grew the farm into a successful dairy operation while welcoming their four children Carolynne (Matthew), Colleen (Markus), Daniel (Krystal), and Catherine (Michael). Family was Rick’s foundation, and he took great joy in his nieces and nephews, as well as his inlaws and ‘outlaws’. This love extended beyond borders, as he valued every opportunity he had to visit his family in the Netherlands and welcomed their visits with open arms. In recent years he cherished spending time with his eight grandchildren through trips to the barn as well as sharing wisdom and laughter around the kitchen table. Throughout his life Rick lived his faith and values through acts of kindness, no matter how unconventional. He was a joyful giver creating space at the breakfast table for family, friends, and those finding their way. Rick had a rare gift for making everyone around him feel truly loved and seen. He had a knack for capturing the quirks and stories of his family and friends and weaving them into songs and skits with humour and heart. He was hardworking and steadfast, providing a moral compass, and a safe place to land for those he loved — all with humility.
In honour of Rick’s generous spirit and love for others his family kindly asks for donations to be made to St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, a place close to his heart. They also invite everyone to honour Rick’s legacy by doing an act of kindness no matter how unusual or unexpected.
Family will receive friends for visitation at the Ferguson Funeral Home in Meaford on Friday, January 3, 2025 from 4 until 8 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Clarksburg on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 12 noon.
To view Rick’s service please open the following link – https://youtu.be/eRmt3mUA6_k?si=5TWdug0mtOlb6C22
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church (Cheques Only Please) would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
Details
Visitation: Ferguson Funeral Home in Meaford from 4 until 8 p.m.
Saturday, January 4, 2025 12:00 PM
A funeral service will be conducted at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Clarksburg.
Make a donation in memory of Dirk 'Rick' Dieleman
Donations: St. Paul's Presbyterian ChurchDonate securely through Ferguson Funeral Home
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Harvey and Sylvia McMurchy are so sorry for your loss and thinking of you all and how much he loved you and you all loved him. Remember all those good memories lots of love to you all
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
My deepest condolences and sincere prayers to all of you. It was my great pleasure knowing Rick, and all of you. It is always hard for those left behind, but for him to be pain free and in a far better place, is a wonderful gift he now has.
Blessings to all of you.
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Our deepest condolences to your family. Rick was so kind, I have many fond memories of him from the youth group days at the church. May he rest in peace and live forever in your hearts. So sorry for your loss.
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
I so appreciated Rick at our Wednesday night bible study. His insights and knowledge were inspiring, not to mention interesting. Although I haven’t known Rick long I will miss him. God bless you Darlene and your family and please except my heart felt condolences.
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Condolences to the Dieleman family. I went to public school with Rick at Ravenna. He would wait for me at the corner and we would bike to school together. Treasure your memories
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
We will miss our visits with Ricky (and the apple pie ;-). He always had time for chats and stories and never had an unkind word for anyone.
His love of nature and the land was always apparent and I’m sure he is an inspiration for his family.
Love, Aunt June and cousins Joan Adriana and Debbie
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Darlene and family we are so sorry to hear about Rick. Please accept our sincerest condolences. Vern Shaw and Elizabeth Marshall
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Darlene and family…
Our sincerest sympathy in the loss of Rick. I have every fond memories of his support during my time at St. Paul’s. Thinking of you at this very difficult time.
Steve and Cindy Lewis and family
Thursday, January 2, 2025
My sincere condolences to the family in the passing of Rick. Rick was a great person and always had a smile on his face. He was a great friend to the Moore family.
He will be missed in the Ravenna community.
Thursday, January 2, 2025
To Darlene and family,
So sad to hear of Rick’s death. I share many good memories working together with Rick at St. Paul’s.
May the Peace of the Lord carry you through this difficult time.
Justus (Gus) Knierim
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Rick was a wonderful man with such a great sense of humour. He farmed our land and always asked about our horses. I think Henry Clyde was his favourite! Henry ate the bicycle seat off his bike one summer when he left it leaning against a fence to come and pick up the tractor. He always had such a good laugh about that. His good humour will be missed. You made us feel so welcome to Ravenna when we moved here 25 years ago.
Condolences to all the family. He was a wonderful man.
Thursday, January 2, 2025
My condolences to Ricks family. I met Rick about 3 years ago. What a great, thoughtful,clever and unassuming man. Always enjoyed my visits with him and Darlene and members bof their family. Not that long ago Rick cooked breakfast for Harvey Edwards and I.Was hard to believe the next visit to get Christmas turkey Rick was using a walker. Will always cherish my memories of Rick. Take care.
Julia McGregor ❤️
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Daniel, Krystal and family,
I am so sorry to learn about your tremendous loss. The obituary is so beautiful, I am sorry I did not meet your father (in law). Take care,
Heather and Bender
Thursday, January 2, 2025
To Darlene and family
So sorry to hear of Ricks passing. May the wonderful memories you’ve made and shared comfort you at this difficult time.
Cathy and Doug Shaw
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Darlene and families. Our condolences on the passing of Rick. He was a kind and very gentle man.
Harvie and Jill Reekie
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Daniel, Krystal, and Family,
So very sorry for your loss. Your Father/ Father-in-law sounds like a wonderful man.
May the treasured memories you have help you through this difficult time.
Take Care,
Krista Johnson
Thursday, January 2, 2025
We were so sad to hear of Rick’s passing. He fought so hard for the last 3 yrs against his cancer. He had his family’s love & support to lean on thru it all. You are all in our thoughts at this time
Friday, January 3, 2025
We are so sorry to hear about Rick’s passing. Lots of great memories with Rick and the family. We are thinking about you during this time and sending condolences.
Chris and Sarah Shaw and family
Friday, January 3, 2025
I’ll never forget the kindness and hospitality on our visits to the farm. Late breakfasts at the kitchen table, crawling through the hay stacks in the barn, painting fences, eating Gouda cheese, silly games and songs after an amazing home cooked dinner. Each visit as lovely as the last. Always happy to see us and quick with a joke delivered with such love and the best smile. I can still hear his laugh, so enduring and contagious. Walking into the house a stranger Catherine brought home from university, the entire Dieleman clan has the gift of hospitality making you feel like family instantly! Rick had a faith to look up to, one I always admired, so giving and encouraging to all around him. I will miss you Rick Dieleman, your legacy lives on through your family and everyone who had the pleasure of encountering you.
Friday, January 3, 2025
We’re so sorry to hear about uncle Rick’s passing. Our thoughts are with you in this moment and our deepest condolences. Take care of each other.
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Catherine and Mike, Thinking of you, may the memories that you shared get you through this difficult time. Brian and Susan Hughes
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Darlene and family,
Please accept our heartfelt condolences at this difficult time of Rick’s passing.
You are all in our thoughts.
Bev and Harold Ardiel
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Darlene, Colleen and family
We are sending our deepest sympathies to your family. We enjoyed getting to know you through the joint birthday parties and we always had a great conversation with Rick. Please take care.
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Darlene and family
We were saddened to read of Rick’s death and extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
His obituary reflects a life so well lived and brings to mind the phrase from Micah 6:8 to “Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly”. Rick embodied this approach to life and will continue to serve as an example for the rest of us to strive toward. You remain in our thoughts.
Monday, January 6, 2025
My sincere sympathy to each member of the family in the loss of your very special member. Colleen I would have attended visitation but just found out about your dad this morning. Caring thoughts at this difficult time
Monday, January 6, 2025
As we sat, side by side, in the bass section waiting for our next hymn I once whispered to Rick:
“How do you hit all of those cool low notes?”
Rick replied thoughtfully…
“I don’t know, Wayne… I’m just singin’ ”
All our kind thoughts and best wishes to Darlene and the kids and grandkids on the loss of such a great man…
Wayne Reekie and family
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Catherine, Michael and Family,
Our sincere sympathy for your loss of wonderful man.
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
I was saddened to hear you lost your wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, opa, uncle, and the rest of us an incredible friend and neighbor.
My life was made better by knowing Rick and I’m privileged to call him friend. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Sunday, January 12, 2025
Darlene and family: so very sorry to hear of Rick’s passing I did know though the Collins family that he was sick. I may have went to Ravenna school with him. I am just another Ravenna friends. Remember the memories
Keith and Pat Taylor
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Darlene and family,
Barry and I are sorry to hear of Rick’s death and we send our deepest condolences. Rick farmed our land for many years and he took good care of it. I believe the last time we saw him he arrived with a dozen eggs from his farm, which was a lovely surprise. We wish you peace and warm memories as you remember your husband and father.
Cheryl and Barry