John Dillard John Taylor Dillard, longtime Newkirk resident, died Tuesday morning, Nov. 23, 2010 at the Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield Kan. He was 86. The son of John Wallace and Elsie (Sorrell) Dillard, John was born Sept. 18, 1924 at Glenwood, Ark. He was the sixteenth of seventeen children. He grew up in the rural Glenwood area and received his education there. After finishing school, he worked with his family on their farming operation. On Oct. 31, 1943, John and Floy Estelle Wright of the Mt. Tabor Community, Ark. were married in Reno, Nev. where the pair traveled on donated gas rations. They established their first home in Gridley, Ark., moving a year later to Mt. Ida. On July 5, 1944 John entered the US Navy, serving during World War II. He served on the USS Bland, a troop transport in the South Pacific Islands and was part of the Occupation of Japan, where he was instrumental in landing troops. On February 18, 1946 he received his honorable discharge as a Carpenter’s Mate Third Class USNR John farmed in Arkansas after the war, and then became a plumber. They moved to Oklahoma, and in 1953 he formed his own plumbing and electrical business in Pawhuska. In 1962 he moved his family and his business to Newkirk. He closed his business in 1964 and joined Plumbers and Pipefitters Union 767, retiring from the union after spending his career in the plumbing field. Mrs. Dillard died Nov. 13, 2004. He was a long time member of First Baptist Church in Newkirk where he had served as deacon. At the time of his death, he held membership at First Baptist Church of Kildare. At different points in life he enjoyed golfing, hunting and fishing, making things with his hands, and socializing. John is survived by his only son, John Michael Dillard and wife Barbara of Newkirk; three granddaughters Maurisa (Bob) Pruett of Ponca City, Jamie Blanton of Derby, KS, and Tanya (Sharon) Dillard of Edmond; nine great-grandchildren: Dawn Beauchamp; Kiefer, Sydney, Mackenzie, and Taryn Pruett; Emma, Sam, Austin, and Riley Dillard; and two great-great-grandchildren Kieara and Kamiya Davis. He was preceded in death by Estelle, his wife of 61 years, his parents, and siblings. A graveside service has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27 in the Newkirk Cemetery. Miller-Stahl Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Dillard was cremated, and there will be no viewing. A memorial fund has been established with Hospice Care of Kansas. Contributions may be made in Mr. Dillard’s name to Hospice at 917 Main St, Winfield, Kan. 67156