Elwyn Otho Dillin (1868-1957)

DILLIN, LOOMIS, LARSON, SORENSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:13

From Nevada Evening Journal January 30, 1957 (page 3)

Last Rites For E. O. Dillin Held On Tuesday

Funeral services for E. O. Dillin,, 88, were held from Central Presbyterian church Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock with the Rev. Robert Spencer officiating.

Mrs. R. L. Leeper sang two songs "In the Beautiful Garden of Prayer" and "Abide With Me." Mrs. Lowell Johnson was at the organ.

The flowers were arranged by Mrs. C. L. Gifford Mrs. Anna Marsh and Mrs. C. A. Ryan.

The casket bearers were C. A. Bivens, R. O. Boyd, John Cole, W. A. Mann, M. J. Hoffer and Harvey Stahlman.

Burial was in the family lot in the Nevada cemetery.

Obituary

Elwyn Otho Dillin, son of James and Sarah Furnas Dillin, was born in Green River, Ill., on Nov. 8, 1868. At an early age with his parents, in a covered wagon, he came to Iowa where they homesteaded a farm 5 1/2 miles northeast of Nevada, which still bears the Dillin name. He lived on this farm until he was fourteen when the family moved to Nevada.

He farmed for a few years as a young married man. Although he was intensely interested in farming, he did not feel that his mission in life was to be a farmer, and he, with his little family, moved to McCallsburg where he opened a general store. He dealt in clothing, groceries, farm implements, and related lines. At one time he also owned and operated a general store in Garden City.

In 1931, he closed the McCallsburg and Garden City stores and moved the stock to Nevada, where he opened a department store in the Ballou Building His business grew and it was necessary to move to larger quarters. He then moved his stock into the building where the Shur-Fit Bootery is located now. Later the quarters that now house the Gamble Store were made available and he rented it and expanded further.

In 1943, he bought the Alderman Building which now houses the Dillin's Department Store.

To his first marriage to May C. Loomis, were born two children, James Ralph and Vera Sarah. The son survives his father. His wife died in December 1904 and Vera Sarah, the daughter, preceded him in death in 1943.

On Dec. 29, 1920, he was married to Ethel Amy Larson of McCallsburg, who survives him.

Mr. Dillin was active in the mercantile business until about 2 1/2 years ago. His health failed him and slowly grew worse. On Friday night, Jan. 25, it was necessary to hospitalize him at the Story County Hospital, where he might receive expert care. He failed to respond to treatment and passed away at 2:30 a. m. Sunday, Jan. 27, at the age of 88 years, two months and 19 days.

He is also survived by Ellen Dwight Sorenson, who made her home with the Dillins for several years, seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

He attended the Presbyterian church for many years, first at McCallsburg and later in Nevada and joined the church in 1920. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and a member of the Nevada Community club.

The entire force of the Dillin Department Store attended the funeral in a body.