Illah “Peachy” Dillon, 87, of Eolia, Mo., died Monday, June 17, 2024, at Elsberry Health Care Center in Elsberry, Mo., surrounded by her loving and devoted family. She was born Feb. 1, 1937, in St. Charles, Mo., to Julius and Ruby Garnetta ( Brower) Bueneman, one of four children. Peachy attended the local schools.
When Harry Dillon returned home from service, he had an engagement ring for the love of his life, Illah (Peachy) Bueneman. They were married on June 6, 1953, at the Moscow Mills Christian Church. To this union were born five children: Kenneth, Stephen, Douglas, Donna and Joseph. Peachy was a wonderful mother and wife who loved her family more than anything. Her community and country were of the utmost importance to her. For over 30 years Peachy and Harry helped in many capacities at the McCoy-Blossom Funeral Home in Eolia. During most of Peachy’s life, she spent her time helping and taking care of other people. Peachy had been a member of the Eolia Christian Church and was a charter member of the Eolia VFW Post 4539 Ladies Auxiliary and later Clarksville VFW Post. She was also the neighborhood Avon lady—she always had her makeup on, hair done, a beautiful smile and smelled so good! Peachy loved gardening and planting flowers. Some of her specialties were jelly and fried chicken. Everyone described her as “sweet, kind, outgoing and organized.” Peachy had also worked as a meatcutter at the local grocery store, Eolia AG.
Surviving are her loving family: her children, Kenneth (Terry) Dillon of Troy, Donna (Ralph) Stief of Rockport, Ill., Stephen (Cindy) Dillon of Troy, Douglas (Mary Kay) Dillon of Troy; her sister, Gloria Wermuth of Troy, two sisters-in-law; Dolly Bueneman of Troy and Leanna Bueneman of Elsberry, her loving grandchildren, Vance (Katie) Dillon, Michael (Aleecia) Dillon, Matthew (Rosie) Dillon, David Stief, Chris Gray, Chad Stief, Mitchell Stief, Julie (Justin) Hogdson, Andria (Craig) Nantel, Holly (Travis) Templin, Allison Dillon; her grandson-in-law: Leonard Gnade of Moscow Mills; and her great-grandchildren, Dylan (Christa) Gnade, Sadie Dillon, Joseph Dillon, Waylan Dillon, Austin Dillon, Landon Aubuchon, Raylan Aubuchon, Kamdyn Nantel, Crayton Nantel, Daltyn Nantel, great-great grandchildren, Levi Gnade, Gracie Gnade and Hank Gnade, many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends, especially Mildred Hunter , Terry and Wilma Evans and John and Lonnie Lilley.
Her parents, her husband, Harry Dillon and her brothers, Kenneth Bueneman and Donald Bueneman, all died earlier. Her greatest tragedy was losing her youngest son, Joe Dillon, and her oldest granddaughter, Melissa Gnade.
Visitation was Sunday, June 23, 2024, from 1 – 5 p.m. and was also Monday, June 24, 2024, from 9 – 11 a.m. at the McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory, Troy location.
Service was held Monday, June 24, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory, Troy location. Serving as pallbearers were Vance Dillon, Michael Dillon,Matt Dillon,Dylan Gnade, Justin Hodgson, Travis Templin, Mitch Stief and Chad Stief. Honorary pallbearers were Joey, Austin and Waylon Dillon and Grant Adams.
Memorials: Elsberry Healthcare Center Activity Fund or New Life Christian Church in Eolia or American Cancer Society ℅ the funeral home.
Interment followed in Troy City Cemetery, Troy. Family and friends may sign the online guest book @www.mccoyblossomfh.com.