George Dwayne Dillon, 78

George Dwayne Dillon, of Rathdrum, passed away March 29, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born April 25, 1933, in Las Animas, Colo., to William H. and Blanche Funk Dillon.

Dwayne was a 50-plus year member of International Union of Operating Engineers, locals 9 — Denver, 302 — Seattle and 370 Spokane. He loved inventing things and held a patent for highway sign stands. He designed and built one of the first rumble strip grinders used in Washington state. He worked on Dworshak Dam, Boundary Dam and the 3”1 power house at Grand Coulee Dam. The Alaska Pipeline in parts of 75, 76 and 77.

His favorite hobby was FISHING, especially in Alaska. Dwayne served in the U.S. Army for two years during the Korean War.

Survived by his loving wife, Sharon of Rathdrum; son Dennis Craig (Janice) Dillon of Wrangell, Alaska; daughter Delisa Dillon (Brad) Lindstrom of Pullman, Wash.; brother Leonard (Carolyn) Dillon of Evergreen, Colo.; sister Phyllis (Jack) White of Eugene, Ore.; grandchildren, Craig Dillon of Phoenix, Ariz., Samuel, Sarah and Christina Lindstrom of Pullman; step-grandchildren, Amy and Andrew Versteeg of Tuscon, Ariz.; and special nephews, Doyle (Sandra) Files and Ralph (Judy) Files.

Dwayne was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Blanche Dillon; brother Donald Franklin Dillon; sisters Faye Files, Dorothea Kinne and Jocelyn Owens.

Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2012, at Yates Hayden Chapel. Memorial gifts to Hospice of North Idaho can be made in Dwayne’s memory. Please visit Dwayne’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.