Norma B. Dillingham, 92, died at 9P.M. on Monday, January 28, 2013, in Majors Hospital, Shelbyville, Indiana.
Norma was born on February 10, 1920, in Plymouth, IN., the sixth child of Lewis (L.C.) and Delia M. Snyder Neidlinger. She grew up on a 20-acre farm on Lake Ave.
Norma graduated from Plymouth’s Washington High School with the class of 1937, and worked for a year in the Recorder’s office at the Marshall County Courthouse.
She met Keith Dillingham, five years her senior, when she was 14-years-old at a tented outdoor skating rink on Jefferson street in Plymouth.
There was a game the skaters played, gliding to the sounds of live organ music, where at a signal, the girls would change partners.
Norma and Keith became partners forever.
On February 27, 1938, she and Keith eloped. The young lovers were married in the Methodist Parsonage in south Bend.
She called him “Dilly,” and he called her “Betz.”
The couple started married life on a rented farm south of Bourbon.
In 1952, Keith and Norma bought a grocery store in Bourbon. Called Dillingham’s Grocery, they ran it as a family with their children helping after school. In 1960, the closed the first grocery and opened a supermarket on the West side of Main Street.
Two years later, they added a fine line clothing shop on the second floor. Norma always said that Keith did that to get her out of the way of the downstairs grocery business.
She loved it. Always a fashion plate herself, she enjoyed buying and selling pretty clothes for women and children.
The Dillingham’s traveled extensively after their retirement. They spent a month in Europe, went on several cruises and drove to Mexico after Keith said that “we’d better go now: gas is soon going to be fifty cents a gallon.”
For four years, the couple lived in a condo on a golf course in Fort Myers, Fla. .
“Dilly” and Norma moved to Plymouth in January of 1987. They bought a home on Webster Avenue. Married for 63 years, Dilly died on April 13, 2001.
A member of the First United Methodist Church in Bourbon and later in Plymouth, Norma sang in the choirs. She played the organ at home for her home enjoyment.
She enjoyed playing golf and was an avid duplicate bridge player.
The Dillingham’s raised three sons: Stephen Keith, Timothy N. and Robert Lewis. Stephen died in an automobile accident in 1956: he was 17-years old.
Tim (Lorie) live in Indianapolis where he is a retired designer of kitchens or up-scale homes and Lew (Lonnie), a retired pilot for Federal Express, reside in Memphis, Tenn.
Norma moved to Miller’s Merry Manor Assisted Living complex in 2006, and was there until 2011.
While there she participated in the Community Bridge games and in the Texas Hold ‘Em poker sessions.
While in the facility she enjoyed twice weekly visits from her dog, Snuggles.
Norma is survived by two sons, Tim Dillingham of McCordsville, IN and Lew and Lonnie Dillingham of Germantown, TN. Two granddaughters, Rebecca and Jack Waldron of Westfield, IN and Leslie and Tim Van Horn of Collierville, TN, a grandson, Brad Dillingham of Joshua Tree, CA, a step-grandson Michael and Gale Fant, their children Addison, Carter and Michael James of Cordova, TN and a great-grandson, John Timothy Waldron of Westfield, IN.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her son, Steven Keith Dillingham.
Four sisters also preceded her. They are Rose N. Taylor, Jennie N. Wells, Flossie N. Reading and Fay Neidlinger. John Neidlinger, brother, has also died.
Visitation will be on Friday, February 1, 2013, from 1 to 3 P.M. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 North Michigan Street, Plymouth.
Funeral services for Norma will follow visitation at 3 P.M. in the funeral home with the Rev. Larry Marhanka, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, presiding.
Burial next to her beloved “Dilly” will be in the New Oakhill Cemetery following the services.
Memorial gifts in Norma’s memory may be made to the Marshall County Humane Society or to the First United Methodist Church.
Linda Kuntz says
Aunt Norma was such a beautiful lady both inside and out. We always enjoyed visiting with her and Uncle Keith whether it was in North Dakota or Indiana. They certainly were an inspiration to us and taught us what true love really was about.
I remember picking fresh blueberries with them at the Pickin\’ Patch and she made a wonderful blueberry pie for us! It was such a treat.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of her family. May God bless you.
Love,
Linda & Albert Kuntz & family
Mary (Morris) Eichinger says
My sympathy to the family of Norma Dillingham, I have so many fond memories of Norma, we had some nice visits when Howard (my husband then) Morris and I would go visit them in Indiana. They always showed us a great time. Norma and Keith were Howards cousins, Keith was Howard\’s Mothers brother, and were special people to Howard, Howard passed away in 2002, but I kept in touch with Norma over the Christmas holidays. She was a gracious lady. I remarried in 2010 to a wonderful caring man. But Howards family is still my family. So when one passes I am deeply saddened. Again my prayers and sympathy to the family. Joe and Mary (Morris) Eichinger, Elk River, Minn
Doug and Pat Schonert says
Keith and Norma are Uncle and Aunt to my Mother, Lucille Morris Schonert. I remember them coming to North Dakota many times over the years and always had good times with all the Morris relatives. My Mom and Dad visited them several times in Indiana but I only visited them in Indiana once and that has to be about 55 years ago. I still remember that trip and had such a good time. My wife Pat and I want to offer our sympathy to all of the family and hope they can stay in touch with the relatives in North Dakota.
Rachel Miller says
I am so very sorry to hear about Norma. Thanks for taking such great care of Snuggles, Norma. You will be forever in my heart.
Kathy Alexander says
My sincerest condolances.. This lady was beautiful, inside and out..
Karen Gordon says
Our condolences to the Dillingham family. Dinah Edwards Thacker and Karen Edwards Gordon along with our Mother, Galina Edwards, have fond memories of Mrs. Dillingham. She was so kind and caring to us. She gave us some of her clothes when there were no thrift shops, no garage sales. Times were hard with Mom & Dad divorced and Dad sometimes couldn\’t find work. We were very grateful.
The grocery store was very handy for Bourbon patrons. \”Dilly\” ran it well.
May the Lord comfort each of you and grant you peace.
With sympathy and prayers,
Dinah Thacker and Karen Gordon
Mrs. William Laramore says
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this funeral hour. How I wish I could be there, but recent health problems prevent that. Bill and I certainly enjoyed our friendship with Norma and Dilly. I especially remember a late-summer meal in their comfy home featuring goodies from their amazing garden and Dilly\’s meat, served on their beautiful dishes. Then we played games. Alas, parties like that are rare these days. When Keith died I was working on funeral meals at the church and still have a thoughtful note she sent thanking me for the blueberry buckle she said made a big hit. She was always kind, thoughtful, and beautifully dressed. We had Bosworth\’s, a retail store in Plymouth when she had her shop in Bourbon. Retailers have a special bond.
Lovingly,
Betty Lou Laramore
Betty Lou Laramore
Jami Mason McIntyre says
Keith and Norma gave me my first job in 1978 at the grocery store. They were good friends of my grandparents Gerald and Lamora Stine and I attended First United Methodist Church also. I always appreciated their kindness to me. Norma was the perfect balance for Dilly! You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda Kuntz says
Aunt Norma was such a beautiful lady both inside and out. We always enjoyed visiting with her and Uncle Keith whether it was in North Dakota or Indiana. They certainly were an inspiration to us and taught us what true love really was about.
I remember picking fresh blueberries with them at the Pickin\’ Patch and she made a wonderful blueberry pie for us! It was such a treat.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of her family. May God bless you.
Love,
Linda & Albert Kuntz & family
Mary (Morris) Eichinger says
My sympathy to the family of Norma Dillingham, I have so many fond memories of Norma, we had some nice visits when Howard (my husband then) Morris and I would go visit them in Indiana. They always showed us a great time. Norma and Keith were Howards cousins, Keith was Howard\’s Mothers brother, and were special people to Howard, Howard passed away in 2002, but I kept in touch with Norma over the Christmas holidays. She was a gracious lady. I remarried in 2010 to a wonderful caring man. But Howards family is still my family. So when one passes I am deeply saddened. Again my prayers and sympathy to the family. Joe and Mary (Morris) Eichinger, Elk River, Minn
Doug and Pat Schonert says
Keith and Norma are Uncle and Aunt to my Mother, Lucille Morris Schonert. I remember them coming to North Dakota many times over the years and always had good times with all the Morris relatives. My Mom and Dad visited them several times in Indiana but I only visited them in Indiana once and that has to be about 55 years ago. I still remember that trip and had such a good time. My wife Pat and I want to offer our sympathy to all of the family and hope they can stay in touch with the relatives in North Dakota.
Rachel Miller says
I am so very sorry to hear about Norma. Thanks for taking such great care of Snuggles, Norma. You will be forever in my heart.
Kathy Alexander says
My sincerest condolances.. This lady was beautiful, inside and out..
Karen Gordon says
Our condolences to the Dillingham family. Dinah Edwards Thacker and Karen Edwards Gordon along with our Mother, Galina Edwards, have fond memories of Mrs. Dillingham. She was so kind and caring to us. She gave us some of her clothes when there were no thrift shops, no garage sales. Times were hard with Mom & Dad divorced and Dad sometimes couldn\’t find work. We were very grateful.
The grocery store was very handy for Bourbon patrons. \”Dilly\” ran it well.
May the Lord comfort each of you and grant you peace.
With sympathy and prayers,
Dinah Thacker and Karen Gordon
Mrs. William Laramore says
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this funeral hour. How I wish I could be there, but recent health problems prevent that. Bill and I certainly enjoyed our friendship with Norma and Dilly. I especially remember a late-summer meal in their comfy home featuring goodies from their amazing garden and Dilly\’s meat, served on their beautiful dishes. Then we played games. Alas, parties like that are rare these days. When Keith died I was working on funeral meals at the church and still have a thoughtful note she sent thanking me for the blueberry buckle she said made a big hit. She was always kind, thoughtful, and beautifully dressed. We had Bosworth\’s, a retail store in Plymouth when she had her shop in Bourbon. Retailers have a special bond.
Lovingly,
Betty Lou Laramore
Betty Lou Laramore
Jami Mason McIntyre says
Keith and Norma gave me my first job in 1978 at the grocery store. They were good friends of my grandparents Gerald and Lamora Stine and I attended First United Methodist Church also. I always appreciated their kindness to me. Norma was the perfect balance for Dilly! You all are in my thoughts and prayers.