Phillip Eugene Dillinger

     Sioux City, Iowa – Phillip Eugene Dillinger died Sunday, September 8, surrounded by family, at a local hospital. For the last couple of years, he suffered from ongoing complications from a liver transplant. There by his side caring for him was his younger sister, Della Anne, and her family till the end. 

      Phillip E. Dillinger was born on August 15, 1958, to Vernon A. and Nola J. (Osborn) Dillinger. He was the oldest of five children. He was a proud graduate of Sioux City West and later the University of South Dakota where he did his undergraduate and graduate studies.

      He held various jobs growing up. He and his younger brother Tom were known as the best paperboys in the neighborhood. After finishing their routes on Sunday morning, they would enjoy breakfast with their dad. It always seemed like they always roped their younger siblings into helping them. I guess they call that ‘smart business.’ Phil also worked at the local grocery store in Riverside. It is said that he held the title of fastest sacker in the store for several years. You could always count on a friendly smile and hello as he walked you to your car.

      After college, Phil worked in retail where he was a manager for Walmart, mostly on the East Coast. He loved family visits so he could show them the sites of New York City and Boston. No visit was complete without a visit to Times Square, the theater, the Statue of Liberty, whale watching, and ESPN studios. Later, he would travel the country setting up Walmart stores. He especially loved his time in Alaska. More recently, he worked for the Dollar Tree and Wilmes Hardware Store.

      Phil was a walking encyclopedia of information. He could tell you facts and information on just about anything, especially the local history of Sioux City. He could tell you who lived where in the neighborhood and when they moved. He was especially good about remembering family events. In many ways, he was the family historian.

      Phil loved his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews as evident in the many pictures he took with them. He was there cheering for them at their many events and took pride in their accomplishments. He appreciated their many visits and upon leaving, many memories were made that lasted a lifetime. It is those memories that they will cherish the most. Perhaps it is his laugh that will be forever stuck in our heads.

      Phil was an avid sports fan. Nothing was dearer to him than the Iowa Hawkeyes and Haden Fry. Because of this, the family asks that you come dressed in your favorite sports team's gear.

      Left to cherish his memories are his four siblings, sister Theresa Schwarte of Sioux City, Iowa, brother Tom Dillinger and his wife Jackie of Omaha, NE, brother Fr. Joe Dillinger of Sac City, Iowa, and sister Della Larsen and her husband Chris of Sioux City, Iowa; cousin Loy Dean Eidi and his wife Pam of Washington State; and numerous nephews, nieces, great-nieces and great-nephews.

      He was preceded in death by his parents, Vern and Nola; brother-in-law Ron Schwarte; two great nieces Autumn and Anika Martin; and numerous uncles and aunts.

      In lieu of flowers, memorials can be left at the funeral home at the family's discretion.