Merlin D. Dilley, 78, died Monday, February 25, 2013 at Box Butte General Hospital with his daughter, Brenda by his side.
He was born January 6, 1935 in Brule, Nebraska. He was the fifth of 10 children born to Hiram and Mabel (Armstrong) Dilley. Early childhood years took Merlin too many places of living from Brule to Oshkosh with times living in a boxcar. Merlin was educated through the 11th grade at Lewellen High School before being drafted into the United State Army. He served from November 1957 to August 1962.
After being discharged from the army he came back home and found various ranch-hand jobs with Grace Cattle Company in Lewellen and the Peterson ranch south of Antioch. He moved to Alliance in the late 60’s and worked as a mechanic for Wegner Motors and Engelhaupt Motors. In 1974 he opened his own mechanic shop, Dilley’s Service, which he operated with his wife, Penny.
On June 30, 1963 he married the love of his life, Penelope “Penny” Kay Neptune in Franklin, NE. To this union three children were born. Merlin enjoyed everything with ranching and enjoyed companionship with everyone he came into contact with. His greatest accomplishment was being a husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa.
He is survived by his wife, Penny of 49 years, his children, Pam Taylor of Jonesboro, AR, , Brenda (Brad) Schrum and Kent Dilley and special friend Annette Mensendick all of Alliance, his grandchildren, Kevin (Lyndsey) Schrum of Lincoln, NE, Kody Schrum of Brooklyn, NY, A.J. (Kalyn) Dilley of Rock Island, IL, Kisha Dilley and fiancé’ Cory Brown of Milan, IL, Heidi, Kelly and Luke Taylor of Jonesboro, AR, his great-grandchildren, Eliza and Joseph Schrum of Lincoln, Mackenzie and Cory Brown, Jr. of Milan, IL, Trystin and Domynic Dilley of Rock Island, IL. He is also survived by his sisters, Shirley Saunders of Arizona, and Nadine (Ken) Peterson of Missouri, brother-in-law, Steve (Erma) Neptune of Lincoln, sister-in-law, Pat Neptune of Craig, CO, brother-in-law, Bob (Deeta) Swanson and sister-in-law Peggy (Bob) Guy.
His parents, 4 sisters and 3 brothers preceded him in death.
Graveside services will be Friday, May 3 at 3:00 p.m. at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance.
Memorials may be given to the Alliance Volunteer Fire Department.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.