Ronald Dilley

July 9, 1926-June 3, 2008


Ronald William Dilley, 81, Minot, ND, died Tuesday, June 3, 2008, in his home.


Ron was born on July 9, 1926, in Wilton, ND, the son of Harry and Luella (Matthews) Dilley. He was raised and educated in Parshall, ND.


Ron was drafted during high school into the U.S. Army at Fort Snelling, MN, on February 21, 1945. He received his basic training at Camp Hood, TX, and advanced training at Camp Rucker, AL. Following infantry training, he was shipped overseas with stops at Johnson Island and the Entiwetok Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Ron was later sent to Japan as a military policeman and then transferred into the Medical Corps with the U.S. 6th Army. He was honorably discharged at Fort Lewis, WA, on November 17, 1946.


Ron helped maintain his father’s farm and worked on various assignments in the oil fields before marrying Dawn Clements in 1946. He was married for five years and had a daughter, Cynthia Joy.


In 1955, Ron married Barbara Liles of Bridgeport, NE; to this union two children, Sharon Ann and Todd William were born. From 1955 through 1965, Ron was employed within the Engineering and Manufacturing Departments of The Martin Company, builder of the Air Force Titan Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. He later relocated to Sidney, NE, where he was employed by Continental Oil Company. In 1970, Ron assumed an expanded role with the company in Denver, CO.


In 1975, Ron and Barbara opted to move to Lawrence, KS, for the opportunity to own and operate a Village Inn Pancake House. Ron’s love for the restaurant business continued and he opened The Apple Valley Inn in Greeley, CO, and Dilley’s Family Restaurants in Topeka, Emporia, and Manhattan, KS.


Following the death of his wife, Barbara, in 1992 he married Gloria Hendrickson in 1993. The following year Ron sold his businesses and retired. He and Gloria spent the next 14 years dividing their time between residences in Parshall, ND, on the Hendrickson farm and Tucson, AZ.


Ron was a member of Lucky Mound Lutheran Church, rural Parshall, and a lifetime member of the VFW. He was also involved in the Parshall American Legion, Elks, and Masonic Lodge.


He is survived by: His beloved wife, Gloria Hendrickson Dilley of Minot; daughters, Cynthia Carrig (Richard) of Henderson, NV, and Sharon Burton (Nicholas) of Leawood, KS; son, Todd Dilley (Cynthia) of Lawrence, KS; stepchildren, Greg Hendrickson (Ilene) of Parshall, ND, Jane Grayson (Larry) of Britt, MN, Jon Hendrickson (Brenda) of Dickinson, ND, and Paul Hendrickson (Jean) of Parshall, ND; 5 grandchildren; 8 stepgrandchildren; 4 stepgreat-grandsons; sisters, Shirley Maloy of Tucson, AZ; Cora Belle Montalban (Joe) and Jean Fuller (Greg), both of Cut Bank, MT; and brother, Harvey Dilley (Maud) of Henderson, NV.


He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; parents; sister, Evelyn Spitzer; and brother, Harold Jr.


Memorial Service: Saturday, June 7, 2008, at 11 a.m. in Lucky Mound Lutheran Church, rural Parshall.


There will be no reviewal, however friends may sign a memorial register today, June 6, from noon to 5 p.m. in Langhans Funeral Home, Parshall.


Online condolences may be sent at (www.langhansfu neralhome.com).