Merle Dewayne Dillow

Merle Dewayne Dillow, son of the late Paul Everette Dillow and Mary Louise (Myers) Eldridge, was born July 16, 1953 in Carbondale, Illinois. He graduated from Herrin High School in Herrin, Illinois with the Class of 1971. During his time in school, he was named the Most Valuable Senior and Most Valuable Senior Athlete. After graduating from high school, Merle continued his education at the University of Missouri at Rolla and graduated with the Class of 1974 having attained his Bachelor’s Degrees in Economics and Engineering Management. In 1974, he was named an All-American Tight End for UMR. In 1993, he was named to their All Centennial Football Team and inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000. Merle moved to the Dixon, Missouri area and was currently employed at the Pine Valley Golf Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He loved being at the golf course and made many lifelong friends. Merle passed away Tuesday, March 28, 2017, in his home near St. Robert, Missouri having attained the age of 63 years. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by all those that knew and loved him. Merle is survived by his sister, Jennifer Marshall and husband Daniel and their five children: Brystin, Paul-David, twins Alexandria and Addison Marshall and Nathan Dillow Brandon, all of Finley, TN; nephews: Ashton, Dayton, Mason and Cayden Dillow; special friends, Gerry and Sandi Lewis of Dixon, MO; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Merle was preceded in death by his brother, Steven Allen Dillow. Memorial services were held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 8, 2017 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert with Pastor Patrick Moore officiating. The songs “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art” were played. Serving as honorary escorts were Lou Farkasdi, Les Pero, Jack Vaughan, Tom Cole, Ken Bassett, Bill Noakes, Happy Hopkins, Dick Couton,Rodney Ramsey, Joe Adams, Tyce Smith II, Tom Wilkerson, Mike Bowersock, Marv Boegler, Erv Morriss, Roger Nash, Bob Bishop, Cecil Caldwell, Tony Helmers, Joe James, Tyce Smith, Ed Spotts, Gary Ely and Mike Morriss. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Merle Dillow and may be left at the funeral home.

Merle Dewayne Dillow

July 16, 1953 - March 28, 2017