Ralph Dillon

Services for former farmer and stockman Ralph Edwin “Sam” Dillon, formerly of Hope, who died Sept. 29 at Village Manor in Abilene, were Oct. 3 at St. Phillip Catholic Church in Hope. A military committal service followed at Ashton Cemetery of Hope.

He was born May 10, 1927, to George F. and Genevieve (Weishaar) Dillon at Hope.

A fourth-generation farmer and stockman, he also was postmaster at Hope for 24 years. He served in the Army during World War II, and graduated from Hope High School in 1945. He married Margaret Ann Biehler on Feb. 14, 1957, at St. John Catholic Church in Herington. He was a member of Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by sisters Lois Schoemann and Ruth Dillon; an infant son, Michael; and a granddaughter.

He is survived by wife Margaret of Abilene; children Joan Jones of Chapman; Patricia McClane of O’Fallon, Illinois; Gregory Dillon, Doug Dillon, and Dennis Dillon, all of Hope; Karen Goddard of Ellsworth; and James Dillon of Carbondale; sisters Dorothy Riffel of Lenexa and Jane Schwinn of Topeka; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandchild.

Memorials have been established for St. Phillip Catholic Church of Hope and Fr. Kapaun Guild of Pilsen.