Mervin Dillon 1923-2019
Mervin “Joke” Dillon, 96, Topeka, died Thursday, June 20, 2019, at Holton Community Hospital.
He was born Jan. 21, 1923, near Silver Lake, the son of Okey and Laura Lange Dillon.
Mr. Dillon was a U.S. Navy and Merchant Marine veteran of World War II. He was a member of Painters and Decorators Local 96, working with the union as a painter, and he also painted on his own. He also raised cattle.
He married Marjorie Ann Carter on March 8, 1947, in the Seaman Congregational Church in Topeka. She died May 7, 2010.
He also was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Barbara Jean Dillon; four brothers, Glenn Dillon, Guy Dillon, Charlie Dillon and Clifford “Doc” Dillon; a sister, Margie Goodnow; a great-granddaughter, Carly Kathleen; three sons-in-law, Gary Shalz, Bob Threadgold and Brent Yingling; and two daughters-in-law, Carol Dillon and Kathy Burgess.
Survivors include a son, Sam Dillon, Holton; four daughters, Diane Threadgold and Sandra Yingling, both of Topeka, Karen Gray and husband Steven, Hoyt, and Lori Schreiner, Denison; 14 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren with one on the way; and three great-great-granddaughters.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 25 at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hoyt. Burial with military honors will follow in Prairie Home Cemetery north of Topeka. Mr. Dillon will lie in state Monday at the funeral home, where a visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 280, Hoyt, KS 66440.
