Dorris Leon “D.L.” Dillow
Dorris Leon “D.L.” Dillow, 87, of Centralia, died at 7:05 a.m. Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at Centralia Manor in Centralia.
He was born on Feb. 22, 1922, in Wamac, the son of Everett Lee and Chloa Cover Dillow.
He married Geraldine Bean on Jan. 1, 1942, in Jackson, Mo., and she survives in Centralia.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Dillow is survived by one son, David Dillow of New Baden; two daughters, Patricia Dillow of Centralia and Kathy Tucker and husband Lee of Centralia; and one granddaughter, Allyna Tucker of Centralia.
Mr. Dillow was preceded in death by his parents and by a son, Michael Dillow, in 1961.
Mr. Dillow was a friend of the congregation of the Orchardville Church in Centralia and a member of the Faith United Methodist Church in Wamac.
He was a member of the Centralia Masonic Lodge No. 201 and was a 32nd Degree Mason.
He liked to attend auction sales and collecting pens and coins.
He was a lifetime member of VFW Post No. 2055 and a former member of American Legion Post No. 446.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II from April 24, 1944, to Jan. 24, 1946, and was stationed on the Russell Islands where he earned his Victory Medal.
He has lived in Centralia for most of his life.
Mr. Dillow began his career with the Illinois Central Railroad as a boilmaker apprentice in 1941 and upon completion of his apprenticeship he became a boilermaker. He was promoted to division boiler foreman and traveled many miles between St. Louis and Iowa.
He then returned to the roundhouse to work in the cars shop department as production foreman and worked on Illinois Central steam engines that included Engine 2500 in Centralia. He retired in 1982 as production foreman for the Illinois Central Railroad.
Graveside services were Friday, Feb. 12, at 11 a.m. at the Hillcrest Memorial Park with Pastor Mark Shell and Pastor Steve Upchurch officiating. Military rites were accorded by the Centralia VFW Post No. 2055 and American Legion Post No. 446.
Memorials can be made to Orchardville Christian Church building fund or to the American Heart Association.
Styninger Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia was in charge of arrangements.