Margaret Dibble

Margaret Griffeth Dibble (Mrs. John Dibble), 83, passed on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at home. She was born in Concordia, Kansas, January 25, 1925, the daughter of Arden Edward Griffeth and Fern Brewer Griffeth. She attended high school in Clyde, Kansas, where she graduated early as Valedictorian of her class. At Wichita State University, she studied for two and a half years in an accelerated program, designed for the rapid training of commissioned officers for the armed services.

During World War II, at the age of nineteen, she was hired at Culver Aircraft in Wichita and was promoted to an executive position. While employed at Culver, she was sent on two different assignments to investigate companies who were dealing illegally in non-priority contracts with other companies. She successfully uncovered the deceit in both cases. Culver Aircraft had the highest government priority for the raw materials the company used in manufacturing glider planes for target decoys.

In November 1947, Margaret Griffeth married John Willis Dibble, of the Dibble Grocery Company, and a grandson of the company's founder. Mrs. Dibble also served as an officer in the Dibble business when it later incorporated.

Contributing to civic affairs, Mrs. Dibble joined the Junior League of Topeka, became an active member, and was elected to serve as President during 1963-1964. She was one of the main figures in the development of the Topeka Arts Council and Mulvane Arts Center. In the League, she also worked with several cultural outreach programs to schools, and other projects. She maintained sustaining membership in the League and associate membership with Mulvane.

Mrs. Dibble was a Christian Scientist. She was a member of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, and the local First Church of Christ, Scientist, Topeka, where she served in many offices, including Second Reader, Executive Board Chairman, Sunday School teacher, and in other capacities. She was Secretary of her Christian Science Students' Association for more than fifty years.

She was a devoted mother and grandmother. Survivors include two sons, Cameron S. Dibble, Kansas City, Mo., and Derek A. Dibble, Avon, Ct.; a daughter, Dia Dibble Hayes, Los Angeles; and three granddaughters.

Mrs. Dibble will be cremated. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 23, 2008 at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 Southwest Wanamaker Road. Inurnment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to First Church of Christ, Scientist, 2600 Fairlawn Road, 66614.