James B. Dillman, 76, of Lafayette, died Thursday, April 21, 2016 at St. Elizabeth East. He was born May 19, 1939, in Paxton, IL, to the late Monten and Annamarie Swanson Dillman. Jim graduated from Pine Village High School in 1957 and had served in the National Guard and Army Reserve. On February 3, 1961 he married Betty Wood in Attica and she survives. James worked for General Foods in Lafayette for 17 years and BF Goodrich in Ft Wayne for 10 years, retiring in 2000. Jim liked to do projects in his garage and work on motorcycles for his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed NASCAR, football, fishing and cooking for family dinners.
Surviving along with his wife are his children Jack D. Dillman (Helen) of Arvada, CO, Tammy S. Crider (Steve) of West Lafayette, Lori L. Johnson (Mark) of Mooresville, grandchildren Kayce Johnson (Dennis), Andrew Bishop, Nathaniel Twitty, Sarah Campbell (Jake), Dallas Sharpe, Nicholas Crider, Zachary and Kaitlyn Johnson, great grandchildren Hunter and McKenzie Twitty, Brantley VonBank, Britton Bishop, Braxton Sharpe, Abel Campbell and Laila Johnson. Also surviving are his sisters Ella Brier of Indianapolis, Norma Brown (Charles) of Marysville, TN, Carla Peterson (Rick) of Rainsville, brothers John Dillman (Deb) of Williamsport and Joe Dillman (Charlene) of Rainsville. Jim was preceded in death by a son Anthony W. Dillman, siblings Shirley Waxer, Rose Adelle Hewitt, Ralph Dillman, Marilyn Wellmaker and Donnie Dillman.
Visitation will be 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Sunday at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Service will be 10:00 am Monday at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel. Interment will be at Meadow View Cemetery.