So as I sit here in the parking lot of the funeral home where I just attended a memorial service for one of my best friends father, you can’t help to think how precious life is. Mr. Dillon was like a second father to me growing up and I spent so much time with their family and went on just about every vacation with them, some of my fondest memories as a child. Remember that family is the most important thing in life. Love your wife, love your husband, and bless your children and teach them to always value what’s important in life and never take it for granted. RIP Mr. Dillon you will be missed ❤️ 

I met Mike 6 years ago and only had a few conversations with him over the years. It was always a joy for me to see his smile, and the light in his eyes, when he spoke of his military service and his love for his country. I once shared one of my Dad's amusing submarine stories with him and his big chuckle made my heart smile.
I will never forget Mike Dillon!


Dear Uncle Mike,

I'm still in shock that you've passed. It's not real to me yet. I have so many memories, since I was very young. I remember when you first moved back from Germany. We picked you up at the airport, the elevator opened to you, Aunt Janet and Michael, who I was meeting for the first time. I remember you had speakers outside your Bloomfield house and blasted music while me and Mike dug for dinosaur bones in the backyard. I remember coming to your house late one night because my mom went to the hospital to have my sister and we made construction paper chains for the Christmas tree. I remember visiting you at your job in NJ before your accident. When you moved to Florida, but came back alone to sell the house, I begged you to move back to NJ. All of our camping trips and my visits to Florida before moving there. You always welcomed me into your home when I visited. Our road trip from NJ to Florida, you, me and Aunt Janet. And our road trip from our camping trip to Florida, trying to sleep at a rest stop in your van while my ear was popping from getting water logged. I think I stayed with you for a whole month that summer. Our many Thanksgivings and Christmas Eves at your home. I'm happy I moved for FL for 14 years and spent that time with you and our family. We always had a good relationship. You always joked around with me. 

I know you are now free from pain and sickness. I hope grandma and grandpa came to greet you and you were happy to see each other because you're all free from the earthly things that disconnected you. You met with many challenges here on earth and I hope you're free of them now and just feel and remember the love of your family, the good times and the laughs. One day this will feel real to me. Continue to send me signs you are with me. I love you, Uncle Mike! 

Love your first born niece,
Lori

I will always remember all the times I sat with you over at Tyler's and listen to some good old music. Talked to you about all those crazy war stories. You are a true American hero who fought hard for our country we all love you and we will all miss the physical you but your spirit will always be free with us and fly like a eagle well done friend and soldier. 

Mike, I have known you so long, since I was 12 years old.  You are a part of my family and have a special place in my heart.   I will always remember you.   The last time I saw you, you talked about my Mom and how special she was which meant so much to me.  

I will always remember our trip to Germany to visit you and Janet and baby Michael.   You drove us all over Germany in the VW bug.  Janet, Karen and I in the back with baby Michael and you and Dad in the front.   Not sure how we all fit!   Lots of good memories from that trip! 

God always comes through to send signs that our loved ones made it safely to heaven. My  sister & I recently were leaving a restaurant, I happened to glance over & there sat a small table set for a veteran w/ a lit candle & bible. That was our sign from heaven. People may have known him as my crazy Uncle Mike but what you don’t know is that he was a Jesus loving Vietnam war survivor that was left w/ many wounds. My Uncle not only had to fight for our country he had to fight all the demons that were left behind. These effects left him w/ crutches & a wheelchair. I was able to say goodbye to my Uncle & to see him at peace for the first time in a long time. I will always remember how you always made it a point to ask me how life was treating me. You always enjoyed sitting down w/ us in your decorated war room to talk. You always wanted to give us a gift as we left. Funny things like a watch band or lighter. Whatever was sitting around, you wanted to make sure we left with a gift from you. One of the last times we spoke was at my son’s graduation party. You definitely still had your sense of humor & even said that this is the house you choose to buy, like you were house hunting. Still makes me chuckle. I  enjoyed receiving all of your perfectly written calligraphy Christmas cards. I can even remember as a teenager you would sit w/ me in your dining room & try to patiently teach me the technique. I have saved all the cards along w/ the very last message you wrote on a envelope to me.  Christmas I requested a pumpkin bread recipe & on the back of the mailed envelope was a message in German “Ohne Liebe,Kien Leben”. After reaching out to a German friend, I was able to get the correct translation of: “Without Love, No Living”. I want you to know that I must be living good, there is love all around especially as we come together this week to celebrate your life surrounded by family. I will cherish that message every year when I get it out to bake. Rest in Peace Uncle Mike

 Dear Papa, we never bonded over much but in the past few years you have seen me really grow up into the young lady that I am today. In those few years I started a new job and I told you that with the first few paychecks I was going to buy myself a new phone and you were really proud of me for doing it on my own, so you gave me a $100 to help me out. Then the year after that I graduated from high school even though you weren’t able to make it to the graduation i am Thank full that you and nana made it to the breakfast which I really appreciated and I never told you how much it really meant to me that you came. On July 25th I went to Nana’s to have lunch with her and saw that you weren’t feeling the best but, you still noticed my haircut which really meant something seeing nobody else noticed. Before I left I went to say good bye but you had a different plan you wanted to talk about my vacation to New York so we continued to talk for a good five minutes after that you told me that you loved me and I of course said it back but little did I know that was going to be our last words to each other. I’m so blessed for our family and I’m thankful for Tanya for getting our last words on video ill cherish that video forever, and in return i’m going to make the same promise that dad made to you and I will help dad take care of nana for as long as I can.I know you will keep looking over my shoulder and directing me into the right path and even though it may be a long time till we meet again I believe in a another life time we will see each other again👼🏼 
Rest In Peace papa,
   Love Ashley ❤️

Dear Uncle Mike,

I wanted to share with all one particular story that speaks to your character. 

Once summer I had paid you a visit in Florida. I was planning a trip to Vietnam but I was concerned that you might be offended by such a trip.  

However, you surprised me a bit by your enthusiasm for my trip and about how warmly you spoke about the people of Vietnam and how openly you spoke of your experiences. You even loaned me your book, "The Tunnels of Cu Chi", to read before I went.

You were right. The people were great. We even had a former South Vietnamese soldier, who once he found out that I wanted to discover where you had been, took a special interest in me and felt obligated to talk for hours about his (and your) experience. I felt like I was temporarily and undeservedly a part of some fraternal brotherhood. 

Thank you for your sacrifice and for all of the laughs over the many visits when I had the pleasure of seeing you. RIP.

Love,
Stephen 


Dillon Family,

 The first time I came to meet grandpa I had no idea we had something in common. We both loved Mountain Dew hahaha right when I met him he offered me some food something to drink and I was like no it’s okay, then he went to the fridge and opened it up and was like “here! Take this Mountain Dew it’s my favorite .” So I took it and I told him it was my favorite soda also 😂 he was a kind spirit and everytime I saw him I always had a good laugh with him. Rest in piece grandpa, I hope heaven is good to you 💖

Dad, My Friend, 
I wanted to first say how I miss you and I love you. There are so many memories of us growing up that its hard to put on here. Instead, I first wanted to thank you for being my father and friend. You have taught me a lot in your own special way. Yes, you didn't have the opportunity to do many things but you were able to accommodate and be there to support me. Even though I chosen the wrong path from time to time you supported me through it. (Lesson Learned). Anyways, I am who I am today because of you. 
If I had to choose a memory it would be the bonding time as a youngster when we would go fishing together. I remember the first Snook you caught at the Skyway Bridge. We tried so many times to hook that fish with failing attempts but you finally got him. With my help of course.... And i know if i didn't help you I wouldn't have heard the last of it.  Also that time when you tried to cast your fishing pole and hooked me in the lip, ah the good times we had. Thanks for the tetanus shot!
Dad, just so you know I will take care of Mom as you wished. And I will make sure my sisters have their brother at all times, Don't you worry about that, just look over me as you have always done and guide me in the right path.
Until we meet one day, Dad, I Love You and Miss You

Your Son

Mike Dillon

Dear Dillon Family,

The Herr family would like to extend our deepest sympathy to you for the loss of Mike.  Know everyone will miss him greatly but hope you find peace knowing he is with our Lord.
We all have very fond memories of Mike when we were close friends living on the southside of St. Pete.  We remember many hours together when the kids played soccer, practice, traveling.
Many visits to your house to enjoy one another's company & laughs.
We even remember having a oyster eating party which was delicious.  
May God be with your family during this difficult time!  You will be in our prayers, Linda, Kent, Kristin, Linley

Dad, I will forever love you and miss you.
You were a proud veteran who loved his country and a proud father who loved his family.  I remember all the wonderful family games we would play together.  My favorite was the "German Game."  We had no idea what the words on the game board said but we didn't care because it was a game we could play with you.
Your one of kind potato salad (forever known as "Dad's Potato Salad")!  I remember when you finally let me learn the recipe for your potato salad.  You didn't have a written recipe so I had to watch you make it and write it all down.  I was also your taste tester.  You made me feel special like I was the only other person in the world who would be able to duplicate the recipe.
You definately had a love for music.   Some of my favorite memories are in our old family room listening to the blues and jazz and dancing. :)
I will never forget your laugh!  It was so contagious and you always laughed at your own jokes, which made us laugh as well.
You have always watched over us and kept us safe even into our adulthood.  If you saw a news report about a recall, you always let me know so that I too could keep my children safe.  I know you will continue to watch over us.  You will be dearly missed dad.
Love always,
Tanya

Dad I love you so much ❤️  When we were growing up, I remember us kids were in the back bedroom playing, You heard us and I looked up and saw you watching from our door with a big grin on your face,  you were always so pleased to see that your children are happy and love each other. I tend to find myself doing that now when watching my nieces and nephews. You made sure every day we knew you loved us and you’d say to me Who Loves you? And I’d reply, You do!!!  You also had a funny side and one April fools when I was about 6, I woke up and my favorite Pound Puppy was missing..you know Whitey!? You told me he was taken away by the cops, of course I believed you. But before any tears came out, you quickly told me April Fools!! 😂  Another memory I have was us kids riding in the van home with you one day and we parked in the driveway, yet we couldn’t seem to get out because we were having too much fun listening to Shout by the Isley Brothers.  I will always remember your infectious laugh because it made us all laugh.  Dad thank you for always being there when any of us needed you. We all miss you already, you will live in our hearts forever. Love your daughter Melblondie)

Dad I miss you so much ❤️ I have a lot of great memories of our time together. When I meet your son in 1995 and he introduced me to you all, you welcomed me with open arms and of course a kiss:) you treated me like one of your own. When Tyler was born, I could see the love you had for him. He was your buddy. I remember you coming from the south side to take me and him to the doctors and Publix anytime I needed to go. Then a couple years later Ashley was born and the joy on your face, I knew we had someone special. You had some much love for them. I remember sitting at the table for hours and just talk. Oh how I miss those talks..  I remember every time I would see you, you always had a radio or watch to be fixed :) thank you for always making me feel welcomed in your family.  You are one of a kind and we will never forget you.  Rip Dad. We love you to the moon and back ❤️

Mike Dillon my brother in law.  We called each other “ brother”.   He was family and a friend to me. He always treated me like a brother.
In our earlier years (1970’s New Jersey) a story I remember was the time we needed a table to outfit our VW Bus, not sure who’s vehicle it ended up in but after drinking at a local establishment we decided the table was the correct size to fit in the bus so out the door Mike and I carried the table. 
We were close for the years in St. Pete, living nearby each other making time for family parties, having a vacation or two together.
Mike love poetry. His family heard his short poeticisms many times. He always rhymed a few words into his conversation with you and then saying “I’m a poet and you didn’t know it”, followed by a laugh. His poeticisms got better and his laugh louder if he took his “medicine”.
Mike had a difficult time his last year but our love for him will have an everlasting memory.
 
Ending with a quote by an unknown.  “Those we love and loose are together with us in heart, and forever with us in memory”
 
Goodbye my “brother” Rest in Peace.
Ed and Sue
 


My Dear Brother, Mike,  I have so many fond memories of our younger days.  You were my protector ever since I could remember.  You made sure that no one hurt me going and coming from school.  We spend our earlier years in Germany.  I remember walking to school we picked berries from the trees and by the time we arrived late to school we had blue lips.  I remember a girl in your class that you liked.  I don't remember her name but she was very pretty.  You also played many tricks on me and repeated the tricks and I fell for them over and over...I was so gullible.   

You were always protective of your family and with people you loved.  You did not have many friends even as children, but the friends you had were close to you and you treated them like family.  In your years in the military you asked me to be a penpal to a few of the soldiers who did not receive mail from home and brought some happiness with funny cards and letter.  

I can think of so many other memories, but these stand out the most.  I know you are happy and in no pain.   I will always speak of you to my grandchildren and keep your memory alive.  LOVE YOU MY BIG BROTHER!! I know I will see you again!!  

Your Loving Sister, Senaf

OBITUARY

Michael Dillon

4 May, 1947 – 31 July, 2019

Serenity Funeral Home & Serenity Gardens Memorial Park

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