Dillon

Charles Dillon, 88, of Butler died Sunday at his home.

Attorney Dillon was born March 18, 1920, in Butler. He was the son of the late John Coady Dillon and the late Ann (Daugherty) Dillon.

Charley graduated from Butler High School in 1937, where he lettered in swimming and football. He was a member of the Butler WPIAL Championship Swimming Team in 1935.

He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1941 as president of his senior class and a member of student council. While at Notre Dame, Charley won inter-hall championship awards in football, track and swimming. He also fought in the Bengal Bouts.

Charley entered the Army in October 1941 as a selectee under the Selective Service Act of 1940, which required all single males between the ages of 21 and 35 to serve one year of compulsory military service. The popular song of the day was "Goodbye Dear I'll be Back in a Year," but Charley didn't return to Butler until December 1945, four years and two months later.

Three and one half years of his military service were spent overseas in the Southwest Pacific Theater where he was involved in the first U.S. Army offensive action at Buna in New Guinea and the last in Northern Luzon in the Philippines. He also served briefly during the occupation of Japan.

After his initial service in New Guinea with the 41st Infantry (Sunset) Division, Charley received his officer's commission in the artillery and was assigned to the 32nd Infantry (Red Arrow) Division. He was involved in several amphibious assault landings in New Guinea and Biak Island. As a 1st Lieutenant, Charley served as battery commander of Headquarters Battery of the 32nd Division Artillery in the Leyte and Luzon campaigns in the Philippines. He was awarded the Bronze Star and several campaign ribbons.

In 1947, Charley founded and organized the first Butler Grade School Basketball League.

In 1948, Charley married Nina Elizabeth Turnblacer. Their 60-year marriage was blessed with seven children.

He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1951. Initially, Charley commenced the practice of law in Butler in partnership with his brother, the late Judge John C. Dillon. Later for many years, he was the senior partner of the law firm of Dillon, McCandless King Coulter & Graham L.L.P. He specialized in school and municipal law, as well as eminent domain, real estate and decedents' estate law. In his earlier years, he had an active trial practice and tried hundreds of highway condemnation cases for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

He was solicitor for the Butler School District and the Butler Flood Control Authority for more than 35 years, the Butler Hospital Authority for more than 20 years and the Controller of Butler County for more than 28 years. He was the solicitor for the city of Butler from 1962 to 1968, the Mars School District from 1974 to 1980, and solicitor for several other municipalities and authorities.

Charley was a life member of the American, Pennsylvania and Butler County Bar Associations. He served as president of the Butler County Bar Association in 1971 and 1972.

He was a member of the board of directors of the Butler Memorial Hospital from 1960 to 1972, where he served as vice-president, treasurer, member of the executive committee and chairman of the Nursing School Committee. He also was chairman of the Red Cross Fund Campaign and chairman of the Professional Division of the Community Chest and United Fund Campaigns.

Charley was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Elks and the Butler Country Club. He was a charter member of the Butler Jaycees. He was an organizer and initial director of Lawyers' Abstract Co. of Butler County.

Charley was a life member of St. Paul Catholic Church, where for many years he served on the church committee, finance committee and was a lector. He was recently trained as a docent to guide tours of the church.

Charley enjoyed playing golf and bridge, but he freely admitted he never excelled in either of them.

Charley first and foremost was a family man. He loved family vacations and frequent family get-togethers throughout the years.

Surviving are his wife of more than 60 years, Nina (Turnblacer) Dillon; seven children, Ann G. Dillon of Austin, Texas, Charles E. Dillon Jr. of Butler, Robert D. Dillon of Benbrook, Texas, Patricia J. Birckbichler of Butler, Daniel F. Dillon of Cranberry Township, Elizabeth J. Catalane of Sewickley and Mary Jo Hutchison of Saxonburg; 15 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by a brother, the late Judge John C. Dillon; a sister, Anne Marie Carlin; and a brother, Dr. Daniel James Dillon.

<B>DILLON</B> — Friends of Charles Dillon, who died Sunday, June 29, 2008, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the <B>Young Funeral Home</B>, Butler. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the St. Paul Catholic Church with Father Harry Bielewicz officiating. Burial will follow in the Calvary CemeteryGraveside military honors will be provided by the VFW Post 249 and the American Legion 778.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the VNA Hospice Inpatient Unit, 154 Hindman Road, Butler, PA 16001; the Butler Area Public Library, 218 N. McKean St., Butler, PA 16001; or the Blind Association of Butler, 322 N. McKean St., Butler, PA 16001.Information also is available at www.youngfuneralhomes.com.