Submitted by: Dan Rich
South Bend Tribune 11/24/2008
SOUTH BEND - Joseph Francis Dillon Sr.,
87, died Saturday morning in his home at Holy Cross Village. He
was born in Hudson, MI, on November 2, 1921, to Marie and John
Dillon. Joe was a graduate of St. Thomas Military Academy in St.
Paul, MN, and of the Notre Dame business school and law school.
He served for four years in the Army infantry during World War
II, in both the European and Pacific theatres of war. He received
the Bronze Star for bravery in the crossing of the Sieg River in
Germany. On May 5, 1949, Joe married the former Barbara Donahue
of South Bend in Sacred Heart Basilica at Notre Dame. They became
the parents of five sons, Joseph Jr. (Anamilena) of South Bend,
Thomas (deceased), Terrence (Linda) of Berkeley, CA, Michael
(Connie) of Naples, FL, and John (Milexa) of South Bend. He is
also survived by six grandchildren, Patrick F. (Donna) Dillon of
Chicago, Geoffrey Dillon of New York City, Emily Dillon, Laura
Dillon, Sarah Dillon and Thomas Dillon, all of South Bend. Joe
loved his faith, his family and his Alma Mater, Notre Dame. He
disliked long obituaries, Christmas letters, foreign cars and
cash bars. He recently retired from the DLZ Corporation.
The family will receive friends in the HICKEY Funeral Home, 17131 Cleveland Road, from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25th. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Cathedral of St. Matthew, South Bend, on Wednesday, Nov. 26th, at 10 a.m., with Rev. Michael Heintz officiating. Private burial will take place. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Christ Child Society or to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care.