Joseph Harrell Dillingham

Dillingham, Joseph Harrell Linwood, Michigan Mr. Dillingham Passed away Saturday, February 1, 2014 after a short illness. Age 92 years. He was born June 21, 1921 in Boaz, Kentucky to Felix and Sammie (Harrell) Dillingham. He graduated from Boaz High School in their last graduating class and attended Murray College. Joe moved to Michigan in the 1930's and spent the rest of his life here. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the Pacific Theatre. He spent several years on Beaver Island working at a variety of jobs before starting the Beaver Island Telephone Company which was the beginning of his career in the telephone industry. He retired from Continental Telephone Company in Pinconning in 1981. He served as a CWA union steward for several years in Caro and Pinconning. He married Marilyn (Jeanie) Gifford on January 24, 1970 at her parents home in St. Louis, Michigan. They had just celebrated their 44Th. Anniversary. Joe enjoyed woodworking, bird watching, photography and computers. Joe is survived by his wife, Jeanie; one daughter, Gale (Kent) Jones of Davison; one son, Dale Dillingham of Belding; grandsons, Jared Nickel of Beaverton and Joey Dillingham of Belding; great granddaughters, Kadence and Ava Nickel. He is also survived by one sister, Lou Jean (W.B.) Ford; two brothers, Jimmy (Imogene) Dillingham and Don (Glenda) Dillingham; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Joanne Gifford, Janice (George) Kilborn and Dan Bayerd. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law and father-in-law, John and Lois Gifford and one sister-in-law, Jackie Bayerd. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Brent Raap for his care over many years, the nursing staff at McLaren 6 East for their care and patience, the wonderful Hospice people, Terri, Ben, Michelle, Trisha and Len for all their help and understanding and Jacinda and Paul Wackerle for all they've done to make things easier. At the request of Mr. Dillingham cremation has taken place. A memorial service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Officiating will be Rev. Don E. Dillingham. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. and until the time of services. Memorial cards for the Library of Michigan Foundation, which supplied books on tape for him for so many years, will be available at the funeral home.