Dean Ivan Dillon, son of Orvin Luther and Lola Zelda (Frydendal) Dillon, was born in Smith County, Chrystal Plains Township, Kansas on the family farm on October 2, 1932.  Dean died January 3, 2025 at Prairie Winds Retirement Center in Phillipsburg, Kansas at age 92.

Dean and Darlene June (Stapel) Dillon were married June 7th, 1950 at the 1st Methodist Church in Phillipsburg, Kansas.  To this union, three children were born:  Dennis Dean, Debra Darlene and Darren Duane were born in Smith Center, Kansas and raised in Phillipsburg, Kansas

Dean worked as a salesman/mechanic 25 years for Western Auto in Phillipsburg, Kansas and was the shop foreman for the Phillips County Highway Department for twenty-five years.  Dean then served as President of the Phillips County Senior Center for twenty years.

Dean enjoyed hunting, fishing, and a game of cards.  He could also be seen dancing once a month in Norton and Hill City.  Traveling to see Children and Grandchildren

Dean enlisted in the Army on April 2, 1953 and was assigned to the Big Red One in Fort Riley Kansas.  He then was assigned to the famous X Corps in Korea for 19 months as a field wireman.   Upon completion of his combat tour in Korea, he was discharged on February 24, 1955 with the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, a United Nations Service Medal, and Good Conduct Service Medal.

Dean was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene June, parents Lola Zelda (Frydendal) Dillon and Orvin Luther Dillon, sister Rose Olive (Dillon) Broadwater, and grandson Jacob Dean Dillon.

He is survived by his son, Lt Col Dennis Dean Dillon (Retired, U.S. Air Force) and wife Jana Rae Dillon of Triangle, Virginia, daughter Debra Darlene Dillon and Ronald "Short" Van Roekel of Logan, Kansas, son Darren Duane Dillon and Shannon Jennings of Overland Park, Kansas;  nine grandchildren include Hollie Denise Dillon of Stanton, Tennessee, Joshua Daniel Dillon of Triangle, Virginia, First Sergeant Jared Nathanial Dillon (U.S. Army) and wife Kristen of Stafford Virginia, Nichole "Cole" Marie and Gage Andrew Reichert of Hill City, Kansas, Natasha Darlene Flores and Jonathan "Jay" Antonio Flores of Lake Mary, Florida, Dillon Joseph Schmidt and Esperanza Luisa Palmer of Hays, Kansas, Derek Daniel Schmidt and Meagan Oliver of Phillipsburg, Connor James Dillon and Madeline Elizabeth Dillon of Overland Park, Kansas; seventeen great grandchildren include First Class Petty Officer Remie Ivan Dillon (U.S. Navy) and wife Jordan of Hanover, California,  Odin Bailey Baldursson Dillon of Fort Moore, Georgia, Melanie Nichole, Jared Jacob Dean, Makyla Lou Rae, Jaxson Justin Dennis, Maevie Jana Lee, Jamison Joshua Damen, and Myleigha Delilah Rose Dillon of Stafford, Virginia, Cayden Marie and Jonathan Antonio Flores, Jr. of Lake Mary, Florida, Dean Riley and Owen Wilber Reichert of Hill City, Kansas, Mateo Joseph, and Magnolia Louise Schmidt of Hays, Kansas, and Iris Neil and Willow Nora Schmidt of Phillipsburg Kansas.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 9, 2025 in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial  Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Kathy Whitney officiating. The services will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg, with military honors conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard.

Mr. Dillon will lie in state from noon until 9 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel.  The family will receive friends for visitation from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Golden Years Senior Center.