Longtime Tipp City Resident Sarah Louise Diles Dies at 93

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Sarah Louise Diles, a 93-year-old resident of Tipp City, Ohio, passed away on February 7, 2026 at her home. Diles was born in 1932 in Greenup County, Kentucky and later worked as a switchboard operator for Ohio Bell and managed the office at LaserMike with her late husband Paul. She was known for her love of birdwatching and spending time with her large family, to whom she and Paul were very generous.

Why it matters

Diles' passing marks the end of an era for a longtime Tipp City resident who lived through major changes in the region over the course of her 93 years. Her story reflects the experiences of many Ohioans who built careers, families, and lives in small towns and cities across the state.

The details

Diles was born on August 23, 1932 in Greenup County, Kentucky to James Matthew and Emma Potter Gillum. She married Paul Raymond Diles in Portsmouth, Ohio in 1950, and the couple enjoyed 70 years of marriage until Paul's passing in 2021. Diles worked as a switchboard operator for Ohio Bell for 15 years and later managed the office at LaserMike with her husband until they sold the business. In retirement, she enjoyed birdwatching and spending time with her large extended family.

• Diles was born on August 23, 1932 in Greenup County, Kentucky.
• Diles married Paul Raymond Diles on June 3, 1950 in Portsmouth, Ohio.
• Diles worked as a switchboard operator for Ohio Bell for 15 years.
• Diles and her husband managed the office at LaserMike until they sold the business.
• Diles passed away on February 7, 2026 at her home in Tipp City, Ohio.