Roy Didline

Roy E. Dildine, 81, passed away Saturday, November 16, 2019, at his home in Wood River, IL.

Roy, one of three children born to the late Lloyd and Pearl (Dawes) Dildine, was born on January 22, 1938, at home on Madison Avenue in Wood River, IL. He was a member of the class of 1955 at East Alton Wood River High School. In later years, he enjoyed class reunions and connecting with old friends.

On October 30, 1982, he married Joyce (Isaacs) Tottleben in Bethalto, IL. They recently celebrated their 37-year wedding anniversary.

Growing up in Wood River, Roy enjoyed delivering groceries for the family store, the D&F Food Market. He also was a lifeguard at Wood River Pool and worked at Skaggs restaurant. Immediately after high school, he enlisted in the Navy. After his discharge, he became a licensed barber in Granite City, eventually owning his own shop in Roxana. He also served as a volunteer firefighter in Roxana for many years.

Throughout his life, Roy was a proud and active union man. During his years with the International Union of Operating Engineers 525 and Labor Local 338, both in Wood River, he served as an officer, committeeman, and steward. Roy retired from the Labor Hall in 2000.

Roy spent his life working hard and making friends wherever he went. He always greeted everyone with a huge smile on his face, and he didn't know a stranger. He was full of local history and trivial knowledge, and always had a story to tell. These stories often included the countless adventures he shared with his best friend since kindergarten, Don Stanley.

Roy's passions included fishing at his trailer in Gillespie, spending time near the ocean in Florida with Joyce, and just being a good friend to many. Roy's true joy, however, was his five children and eleven grandchildren. For many years he was a fixture in the bleachers at Roxana High School watching his kids.

In addition to his wife Joyce, he will be forever loved by his children, Tim (Michal) Dildine of Deerfield Beach, Florida, Jeff (Sherry) Tottleben of Wildwood, MO, Juli (Garth) Akal of Godfrey, IL, Tammy (Kyle) McLane of St. Louis, MO, and Amy (Brian) Macias of Godfrey, IL; eleven grandkids, Tori (Dustin) Lynch, Jacob, Jaimie and Jacie Tottleben, Cole and Caden Akal, Harlow and Lily McLane, and Owen, Brody and Eme Macias; two sisters, Linda (Rob) Tate of Broomfield, Colorado and Mickey Cockrum of Carrollton, Texas; two sisters-in law, Susan Faloon and Carol (Steve) Weber; a brother-in law, Ron (Jennifer) Isaacs; nine nieces, Lisel Von Duyke, Amy Martinez, Christi Oropeza, Christine Palermo, Kathy Rocconi, Laura Schachter, Karen Harmon, Sarah Buckley, and Meghan Ellis, who he thought of as a daughter; and two nephews, Christopher Faloon and Craig Cockrum.

He was preceded in death by a dear son, Michael Roy Dildine; his parents, Lloyd and Pearl Dildine; and a brother-in-law, Larry Cockrum.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Paynic Home for Funerals in East Alton, and will continue Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. until services begin at 11 a.m. Burial with full military honors will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens.

An online guestbook is available at www.paynicfh.com