Joseph Patrick Dillon
June 25, 1942-July 26, 2025
VIGIL SERVICE: Thursday, August 7, 2025, 7:00PM with VISITATION beginning at 5:00PM., West Center Chapel.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Friday, August 8, 2025, at 10:30AM, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 7430 Hascall Street, Omaha.
ENTOMBMENT: Resurrection Mausoleum
To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service and Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click on the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.
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In Loving Memory of Joseph Patrick William Dillon
It is with heavy hearts that we gather to remember a life that touched so many, a presence that brought warmth, wisdom, and kindness to all who were fortunate enough to cross paths with Joseph Patrick William Dillon (Pat to his family). His journey, marked by compassion, resilience, and joy, leaves an indelible mark upon his family, friends, colleagues, and the broader community. Though words can never truly encapsulate a lifetime, it is our hope that by recounting his story, we pay tribute to a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.
Early Life and Family
Born in Sioux City, Iowa on June 25, 1942, to parents Joseph Albert and Margaret Cecelia Rohan, Joseph came into this life with a curiosity that would remain a guiding force. From his earliest days working on the family farm, it was clear he possessed an inquisitive mind and an open heart. Born the first of five children, he spent his childhood helping to care for his siblings, James Francis, John Robert, Margaret Ann, and Rev. Jerome Vincent, learning the values of honesty, empathy, and hard work.
Family was always at the center of his universe. The bonds forged in youth between parents, siblings, and extended relatives endured throughout his life, strengthened by love and mutual respect. He cherished family gatherings, relished traditions, and passed on stories that became the fabric of collective memory. Through both joyful and challenging times, his unwavering support for family and faith never faltered.
Education and Accomplishments
Joseph’s early education included attendance at Nebraska Country School, Cooper Elementary School, and Emerson Sacred Heart Boarding School. He attended Creighton University and University of Omaha Nebraska while he worked part-time at Omaha National Bank Clearing House and Methodist Hospital. Although engineering was his chosen career path, he later changed course and became successful in several sales positions including Keebler, Blackman Distribution, John O’Connor Distribution, Ford Motor Company and Prodenco Group, finally accepting a position at Wells Blue Bunny in St. George Utah.
Building a Family of His Own
While working at Omaha National Bank Clearing House Joseph met the love of his life, JoAnn Drakulich. Joseph and Genevieve “JoAnn” married on May 22, 1963, and were together for sixty-two beautiful years. Joseph and JoAnn were then blessed with four children, Cynthia, Joseph, Chrysti, and Ryan and later with five grandchildren Kip, Faith, Zachariah, Joseph III, and Xavier. Together Joseph and JoAnn raised their family in the Midwest. Once their young family had left the nest, Joseph and JoAnn moved to St. George, Utah where Joseph eventually retired from Blue Bunny. Together, they enjoyed a full and happy life of retirement that included their church, family, and friends.
Personal Interests and Passions
Beyond the responsibilities of daily life, Joseph was a person of diverse interests. A lifelong lover of reading, he enjoyed hundreds of books and was a student of Catholicism, politics, and history. Joseph was also an avid sports fan, especially baseball. Joseph remained a loyal Yankees fan and enjoyed watching and listening to the games with his wife and son, Ryan. He always enjoyed playing a game of Trivial Pursuit and Yahtzee. Each diverse interest offered a different lens through which he viewed the world, enriching not only his own experiences but those of everyone around him.
Joseph was active in the church and a member of the Knights of Columbus of St. George Catholic Church, supported the Elks Lodge, was an Army Reservist, and a Veteran.
He also enjoyed a delicious meal and loved food of all types, especially sweet treats including donuts, cookies, fudge and, you guessed it, Blue Bunny ice cream.
Relationships and Legacy
Joseph will be remembered for the relationships he built, friendships forged in trust, partnerships rooted in mutual respect, and a loving family that was always his greatest pride. Although a quiet man, he listened with empathy, advised with honesty, and celebrated the successes of others as joyfully as his own.
His legacy is felt not only in grand achievements but in the everyday acts of kindness that defined his character. Joseph was a devoted husband always seeking to ensure JoAnn was safe, happy, and well cared for and he had immense love for his children and grandchildren.
Final Farewell
As we gather in remembrance, we are united by gratitude for the time we shared with Joseph and the lessons we learned. JoAnn and his youngest son Ryan protected and supported Joseph during his many months of illness, never leaving his bedside during his multiple hospitalizations at the end of his life. Joseph died peacefully on July 26, 2025, with his beloved wife and son at his bedside.
His brilliant blue eyes and quick smile will always be remembered.
Grief, though heavy, is tempered by the knowledge that Joseph’s spirit endures in memory, in the stories we will remember, and in the lives he touched.
Let us honor his memory by carrying forward the values he exemplified: compassion, integrity, curiosity, and love. May we find comfort in community, solace in shared memories, and inspiration in a life lived with purpose.
Though Joseph is no longer with us in body, he will remain a guiding light, reminding us that a well-lived life is measured not in years, but in the depth of connection, the generosity of spirit, and the love that endures.
May his memory be a blessing, now and always.
VIGIL SERVICE: Thursday, August 7, 2025, 7:00PM with VISITATION beginning at 5:00PM., West Center Chapel.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Friday, August 8, 2025, at 10:30AM, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 7430 Hascall Street, Omaha.
ENTOMBMENT: Resurrection Mausoleum
To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service and Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click on the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.
Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com
8 Comments
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
Angelique and I have had the most incredible time getting to meet and eventually knowing joseph. His wife is an absolute saint and the care and compassion Ryan has shown us when in his parents presence and beyond has been nothing short of amazing. Joseph will be missed for sure however, the comfort we should all endure is that joseph will live within us. In my belief, Joseph is resting easy and peaceful next to our creator awaiting us to join him one day. Thank you Ryan for introducing us to one of the greatest men of all time!
My heartfelt condolences to the Dillon family, but most particularly to JoAnn and Ryan. I know this loss has torn a huge hole in the fabric of your lives. I hope time will ease the raw edges and let you hold dear all the wonderful memories you have of your lives with Pat. He was an amazing individual and demonstrated in spades what grace under pressure should look like. JoAnn and Ryan, I know the incredible love and devotion you both had for this man. One or the other of you was by his side 24/7 these last few months. You ensured that Pats final journey was as easy as it could be and that he was not walking the road alone. His journey now continues “on the other side” where you will find him when waiting when the time is right. God Bless you both.
Joseph Dillon eternal rest to you, rest in Peace my friend,!
My heartfelt condolences to the Dillon family, but in particular to JoAnn and Ryan. Pat’s passing will have ripped a huge hole in the fabric of your lives, but I know you have a treasure trove of wonderful memories that will help ease the sense of loss. I know how hard you two worked to ensure Pats last challenge was as easy as possible and that he would not wake up in the hospital without one of you there. Pat is on a new journey now, but you know he will be waiting with open arms when the time is right. God Bless you both.
I am so sorry for your loss. I knew Jerome, his brother. The angels have taken him to paradise. He is resting in peace.
Len Sagenbrecht
We pray for the family that they will be watched over at this time and that they may know Joseph is in a better place. It was a pleasure to be his neighbor and to know him.
He was a kind soul always enjoyed visiting and working with him.
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