Frank E. Dillon

Obituary

Class of 1940

Aug. 12, 1921 – July 15, 2011

Frank E. Dillon, age 89, passed away peacefully in Weiser, Idaho July 15, 2011. Graveside services were held July 22 at Hillcrest Cemetery in Weiser under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home.

Frank was born Aug. 12, 1921 in Weiser, Idaho to John B. Floyd Dillon and Margaret Cape Dillon. He had two brothers, Marshal (Mick) Clay Dillon and John B. Floyd Dillon Jr. Frank’s parents and brothers preceded him.

Frank went through 12 grades of school and graduated from Weiser High School in May, 1941, after which he enrolled in the University of Idaho. His greatest desire was to study to become a doctor.

The school soon advised him not to even buy his books as he soon would be drafted into the Armed Forces. Frank immediately went to Seattle and enlisted in the United States Coast Guard.

While stationed in the Coast Guard in California he was asked what he knew about dogs. He replied, “Everything you would want to know.”

He was soon sent to train war dogs. Frank remained on the West Coast for some time. Both of Frank’s brothers were already in combat assignments, so he gave up his commission and went to active sea duty in combat arenas. Frank was in almost every major battle in the arena of the South Pacific, the final one being the liberation of Leyte in the Philippines.

Frank was honorably discharged from the military in September 1945 and received the following medals: American area campaign medal; Asiatic Pacific area campaign medal; Philippines Liberation with two stars; World War II Victory medal; and Philippines Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge.

Upon returning home, Frank met and married Hazel Irene Sinclair from Jerome, Idaho. They were married for 25 years. To their union was born three beautiful daughters whom Frank adored, Karen Annette, Cynthia Lyn and Tamela Jo.

They lived in Salt Lake City, Utah, where Frank was employed by Mountain Bell Telephone for 25 years. Frank retired from Mountain Bell and went to work for the Salt Lake City Sheriff’s Office, ending up as a security guard at the Salt Palace.

Frank loved to travel and lived in many motor homes and trailers, spending summers in California, Arizona and Colorado with his children. Frank returned to Weiser to be close to his beloved mother.

Shortly after his return there was an all high school class reunion in June, 1986. It was there he was reacquainted with a classmate whom he had known since the first grade. It wasn’t long before Frank was pursuing her (she had no problem letting him catch her). Her name was Evelyn Benson Bates. They were married Nov. 2, 1988 in McCall, Idaho. She was the love of his life for the next, almost 23 years.

Frank and Evelyn had a wonderful life together. Evelyn was living in Boise at the time of their marriage. However, when their home in Boise was burglarized they decided to move back to Weiser to retire.

Frank and Evelyn had many wonderful trips in their motor home. Four provinces of Canada into upper Michigan and back across the United States, as well as trips along the Washington and California coast, and spending several winters in Arizona.

Frank was a lifetime member of the Washington County Sheriffs Posse and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Evelyn was a very devoted wife to Frank and never left his side, especially during the last few years of his life as his health declined.

Frank is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn; daughters, Karen (Charlie) Mantyla of Yorba Linda, California, Cindy (Bart) Owens of Glendale, Arizona, and Tammy Ruiz of Anaheim, California; stepson, Gerald, (Kay J.) Bates of Las Vegas, Nevada, and stepdaughter, Glenda Kay (Bob) Hartley of Lake Fenton, Michigan; four sisters-in-law, Marjorie Bennion of Weiser, Claire Benson of Layton, Utah, Frances Powell of St. George, Utah, and Agnes Dillon of Atlanta, Georgia; a multitude of nephews and nieces, grand and great-grandchildren. Frank loved them and they in turn, loved him.

We will miss you Frank, your twinkling eyes and infectious smile. We love you very much, see you soon!

Frank’s family would like to thank the caring staff of the Weiser Rehab and Care Center for all their loving care, Dr. Bryan Drake for the exceptional care he provided Frank over the years, and especially the last six months. We appreciate you all.

Our very special thanks to the L.D.S. Second Ward Relief Society for the beautiful luncheon provided us after the service. We were so grateful.

From Weiser Signal American, August 4, 2011