M. Imogene Dillman, age 97 of Charleston, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 while at Charleston Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. Visitation for family and friends will be held Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Charleston Community Church located at 2360 Shawnee Drive in Charleston. Funeral Services honoring and celebrating her life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church with Pastor Sangram Kodavatikani and grandsons Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Lentz and Pastor Thaddeus Searcy officiating. Burial will follow in the Arcola Cemetery located east of Arcola, IL. It is requested that thoughtful donations in her honor be made to the Preacher’s Aid Society. Gifts may be left during the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.
She was born Martha Imogene Dillman on October 1, 1918 in Jacksonville, Missouri, the only daughter of the late Rollie and Helene (Sylvester) Creed. She married Reverend Craig Dillman on December 29, 1945 in Arcola, IL and they shared 61 years of marriage and ministry prior to his death on February 23, 2007. Those left to cherish her memory are three children, Sharolyn (Tom) Hunt of Pensacola, FL, Joyce (John) Craft and Boyce (Angela) Dillman, all of Charleston; 17 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Keren Searcy and her husband Clarence.
Imogene’s gift of hospitality was used to create a loving home for her family and for many others who experienced the inviting atmosphere and genuine warmth and comfort of the Dillman home. Her cooking skills were evident by the delicious meals that were prepared and served, and her hands were often busy knitting and crocheting. For Imogene, family was forever her priority and being with them brought great joy to her life. She was a woman of faith, who in recent years attended Charleston Community Church with her family. During her many years as a pastor’s wife she was supportive of her husband and their ministry. She cherished and enjoyed the blessings of being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and her arms were always ready and willing to cradle the little ones. Imogene endeared herself to all she met as she always had a concerned, caring and compassionate heart for others. Fond and loving memories of her will be cherished forever.