Leslie F. Dillard

Les Dillard, 86, of St. Joseph passed away on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30 A.M. Saturday at Kerley- Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Chip Smith officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens with Military Rites conducted by Stevensville American Legion Post #568. Friends may call from 6-8 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Michigan Heart Association. Friends wishing to share a message or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Les was born March 29, 1918 in Blytheville, Arkansas to Richard and Ida (Williamson) Dillard. He served his country in the US Army during WWII. He attained the rank of Corporal and POW in Poland and Belgium. He married Florence Pool in 1964. Les was employed by Industrial Rubber in St. Joseph for 42 years as a tool and die maker, retiring in 1983. He was a true craftsman, he could make almost anything with his hands. Les was a member of VFW Post 1137 in Benton Harbor and Stevensville American Legion Post 568. Les is survived by his children, Donald (Claudia) Wright of Louisville, Kentucky, Barb (Tony) Erwin of Hamilton, Michigan, Anna (Don) Wilson of Stevensville, Karen (Carl) Eichman of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Chip (Ardie) Smith of Bridgman, Christine Wright of Stevensville, Linda (Dan) Smykowski of Paradise, Michigan, and Betty Adair of Gastonia, North Carolina, one sister, Grace Murphy of Three Rivers, twenty- two grandchildren, and thirty- two great grandchildren. Les was preceded in death by his parents, nine brothers and sisters, and his wife Florence, on March 26, 1993.