- Date Of Birth: January 13, 1930
- Date Of Death: February 24, 2018
- State: Nebraska
John Edwin Dillon, born to Walter E. and Esther (Walden) Dillon on January 13, 1930 , changed his home address from an earthly one to a heavenly one on Saturday evening, February 24, 2018, at the Perkins Pavillion in Hastings, Nebraska.
He attended 8 years of grade school at the one room school, District 119, which was located a mile north, across the pasture, from his home. He graduated with the class of 1948 from Burr Oak High School. He lettered in football and music during his high school years. As soon as he was old enough to sing bass he became a part of the school’s male quartet, joining with three Jeffery brothers, Ardean, Kermit and Curtis. Their harmonizing voices were incredible and as adults they became a younger generation of the “Northbranch Male Quartet”.
He joined his father in farming, some of the land having been in the Dillon name for three generations. On September 7, 1951 he was called into active duty in service for his country, received schooling and became a surgical technician.
His puppy love began while in grade school with the neighbor kid, Erma Parsons – bringing her sometimes a whole package of gum! Going into high school he learned of other girls of interest. However, in due time he took a second interest in the now high school junior. Shortly after her graduation, while he was home on furlough, they were married on May 21, 1952 in the Northbranch Friends Church. Following their honeymoon to the Black Hills they loaded a few personal belongings into John’s 1948 Ford business coupe and headed for his new assignment at the army hospital in Enterprise, Alabama. In December he received notice that he would soon be sent to South Korea. There he served in the KMAG medical unit until he was discharged in 1953. While he was in Korea their daughter, Dianne, was born.
Returning to their home area he again partnered with his dad in farming and raising cattle. For some 10 years he also operated a motor grader for the Jewell County Highway Department.
John enjoyed his freedom in outdoor life, hunting, fishing, camping and family vacations. Due to kidney failure he became a dialysis patient and traveled to Hastings three days a week for over 11 years. In October of 2017 his health began to be a major issue and he spent the last four months in hospitals and at Perkins Pavilion in Hastings. He suffered patiently and always looked forward to returning to his earthly home.
Preceding him in death were his parents and his brother, Ronald and brother in law, Kent McNichols.
Left to cherish his love are his wife of 65 years, Erma; daughter, Dianne and husband Greg Fenster of rural Haysville, KS; Son, Steven, of rural Peck, Kansas; Granddaughters, Janel (Phil) Harms of Bel Aire, KS; Erin (Michael) Williams of Wichita; Abby (Austin) Sharp of Wichita; Great grandchildren Isaac and Selah Harms; Benjamin and Max Williams; sister Joyce McNichols of Superior; sister-in-law, Janna Dillon of Belton, Missouri; brother-in-law John D. Parsons of Northbranch, nephew James Dillon of Falls Church, Virginia; cousins and a host of friends.
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska 68970
402-746-2500
