Barbara Dillman

Barbara Jean York Dillman, 78, of Carmi, Ill., departed this life Sunday, July 22, 2012, to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

She was born Aug. 19, 1933, in Flora, Ill., daughter of Doss and Martha Thomas York. Barbara married her lifelong sweetheart, William O. Dillman, on Nov. 24, 1949, at the home of her parents. They enjoyed more than 62 years of marriage. Together they had two children, Marcia Lee (1951) and Gary Wayne (1960).

Barbara began her career as a claims adjuster with Country Companies Insurance in 1966. She retired in 1993 and spent the next 10 years enjoying retirement in Fort Myers, Fla.

She enjoyed playing the piano and singing gospel music. Bill and Barbara, along with the Jim Rockett and Bob Franklin families, provided special music for many revivals and homecomings throughout the area. She was a member of Cherry Street General Baptist Church in Carmi.

Survivors include her husband, Bill Dillman of Carmi; a daughter and son-in-law, Marcia and Gary Ridenour of Cape Girardeau; a son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Judy Dillman of Carmi; a sister, Louise Orman of Edwardsville, Ill.; five grandchildren, Terri Bryan and husband Troy of Jackson, Brian Ridenour and wife Katherine of Fort Worth, Texas, Jaclyn Dillman of Fairfax, Va., Kelsey Dillman and Gregory Dillman of Carmi; five great-grandchildren, Trenton and Tori Bryan of Jackson, Evan, Oliver and Lucy Ridenour of Fort Worth.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Kenneth York of Granite City, Ill.; and a sister, Madge Cobb of San Diego.

Visitation is from 11 a.m. until service time today at Cook Funeral Chapel in Carmi.

The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Burial will be in Big Prairie Cemetery.