Richard O. Lillie

Richard O. "Dick" Lillie, 71 of Sioux City passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, while on a fishing trip at Martin's Landing in Afton, Okla. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 26, 2009 at St. James United Methodist Church in Sioux City, with Chaplain Bill Van Gerpen officiating. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the 185th Air Refueling Wing at 2:30 p.m. Monday in the Little Sioux Township Cemetery in Smithland, Iowa. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel.

Dick was born Oct. 27, 1937, in Anthon, Iowa, to Harold Lillie and Rozella (Downing) Lillie. He graduated from Oto High School in 1956. At the age of 17, he joined the 174th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. During the time he was a member of the Air National Guard, he also held positions as a meat inspector and Realtor. He served his country for 41 years, two months and 28 days. On Jan. 25, 1996, he retired at the rank of colonel.

He married Alice Allman on Sept. 16, 1958. From this union two daughters were born, twins, Jean and Joan. Alice passed away on Oct. 3, 1971, following a car accident. June 16, 1973, he married Retha (Weber) Sawin and together they raised his two daughters and Retha's three children. He graduated from Morningside College in 1975.

He enjoyed spending time with family, bowling, hunting, fishing, going to the farm he loved and cared for, playing cards at the feed store, and the retiree coffees at the 185th. At the top of his list were his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Retha; his children, Jean of Anthon, Iowa, Joan (Kevin) Holmes of Slater, Iowa, Dan Sawin of Pearland, Texas, Greg (Edyta) Sawin of Austin, Texas, and Michelle (Sawin) Handsaker of Sioux City; a brother, Hollis (Jan) Lillie of Osceola, Neb.; a brother, Gerald (Joy) Lillie of Lillian, Ala.; a sister, Marge King of Kingsley, Iowa; a sister, Ila McDermott of Oto, Iowa; a brother, Raphel (Dianna) of Mankato, Minn.; nine grandchildren, Kayla (Jason) Zagar, Kelli (Bryan) Brendeland, Matt (Amy) Holmes, Kim Holmes (fiance, Matt Heller), Shaun Richard Howerton, Danielle Handsaker (fiance, Brian Cunningham), Sydney Handsaker, Kassandra Sawin, and Julia Sawin, and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife; his parents; three nieces; a grandnephew; and two brother-in-laws.

Pallbearers will be Zac Johannsen, Gary Prescott, Greg Lillie, Shaun Howerton, Matt Holmes, Bryan Brendeland and Jason Zagar. Honorary pallbearers are Mick McCuddin, Marlin Noble, Robert "Bob" Sorensen, Kevin Holmes, and his granddaughters, Kayla, Kelli, Kim, Danielle, Sydney, Kassandra and Julia. Special honorary pallbearers will be the 185th Refueling Wing.