R.I.P...Roger Dillman

Roger Dillman


By Lauren Pack

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN —
Middletown native, community activist and longtime grocer Roger W. Dillman died Friday at Atrium Medical Center.

Dillman, 87, was the owner of Dillman food, which had been in business for 87 years before its Central Avenue grocery store closed last year.

Dillman’s son, Steve, said the family business founded in 1926 by his grandfather, Dewey, fed countless families and employed many young people over the years.

“He enjoyed it very much,” said Steve Dillman. “Co-workers and customers, he loved them all.”

At the height of the family business, the Dillmans owned three grocery stores in Middletown and one in West Carrollton. They converted two Middletown locations on Roosevelt and University boulevards to Save-A-Lots then sold then in 2011.

While he had slowed down some, Roger Dillman still came to the Central Avenue store as much as possible before it closed, according to his son.

Roger Dillman was born at Middletown Hospital not far from the Central Avenue store and was active in many city organizations over the years, including serving on the Bank One board of directors, chairman of the board of Middletown Hospital, senior citizen ambassador award recipient, rotary member of the year 2000, basketball official for 25 years, charter member of Middletown Basketball Association, past commander of American Legion, Miami University Founders Club and an original member of Middletown Community Foundation.

He also served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.

In addition to his son, Roger is survived by is wife, Virgina, a granddaughter and great-grandchildren.

“He was a very open, outgoing person with an active social life,” Steve Dillman said. “He was a happy person who was happy with his life.”

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral home, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd.

I'm sorry to hear about your father Steve. Sounded like a great man who had a wonderful life. My condolences to the family. God Bless.

He died two years ago.  

Positive comments are never out of vogue or inappropriate, regardless of the fact it is two years past the date of Mr. Dillman's obituary. Thankfully the pulse of the city is within the posters who are daily update to date with the major events in Middletown. It would be wise not to rely on facebook for the news. Tomorrow you might wake up and learn Neil Armstrong walked on the moon.

 

Dean wrote: Positive comments are never out of vogue or inappropriate, regardless of the fact it is two years past the date of Mr. Dillman's obituary. Thankfully the pulse of the city is within the posters who are daily update to date with the major events in Middletown. It would be wise not to rely on facebook for the news. Tomorrow you might wake up and learn Neil Armstrong walked on the moon.