Dee McQuillen's Obituary
Dee McQuillen, Jr., son of Dee McQuillen, Sr. and Nettie Ann Hoffman McQuillen, was born January 20, 1925, in Wichita, Kansas. He departed this life Tuesday, August 26, 2008, in Magnolia Square Care Center, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of eighty-three years, seven months, and six days. On August 17, 1946, he was united in marriage to Mary Jo Carl, and to this union two daughters and three sons were born. Together they shared fifty-five years before her passing on February 24, 2002. On May 24, 2003, he married Elaine Gray Dobbs Townsend and together they shared the last five years. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and a son, Mark McQuillen. Dee is survived by his wife, Elaine, of the home; two daughters, Vicky Mell, and her husband, Russell, of Springfield, Missouri, and Dee Ann Johnson, and her husband, Tom, of Omaha, Nebraska; two sons, Mike McQuillen, and his wife, Brenda, of Gardner, Kansas, and Monte McQuillen, and his wife, Debora, of Clinton, Missouri; eleven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a step-daughter, Angela Cox, and her husband, Denny, of Leawood, Kansas; two step-sons, Chris Dobbs, of Ozark, Missouri, and Stephen Dobbs, and his wife, Debbie, of Nixa, Missouri; six step-grandchildren; a brother, Jay McQuillen, and his wife, Marilyn, of Davenport, Iowa; a sister, Wylla Ann Zink, of Nashville, Tennessee; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. He was raised in Cherryvale, Kansas and then moved with his family to Wichita when he was in high school. He served his country faithfully in the United States Army from June 30, 1943 until December 31, 1945, during World War II and received three Bronze Stars for his heroic actions. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he and Mary Jo moved to Manhattan, Kansas where he graduated from Kansas State University. The family then made their home in Kansas and Missouri before moving to Galesburg, Illinois. Dee was employed as a manufacturing engineering manager for Butler Manufacturing Company in Galesburg from 1963 until 1985. He officially retired and moved to Bennett Spring, Missouri in 1993. After he and Elaine were married, they made their home in Springfield. Dee was raised in the Presbyterian faith and later attended Bennett Spring Church of God. In his spare time he greatly enjoyed trout fishing, hunting, particularly duck hunting, photography, and doing woodworking projects. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dee was a true gentleman with a sweet, loving disposition and infectious smile that will stay in the hearts of his wife, family and friends forever. Services will be held at 11:00 am Friday August 29, 2008 at Bennett Springs church of God. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens cemetery in Galesburg, Illinois. Visitation will be at 10:00 am Friday at the church until service time under the direction of the Holman- Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri.A memorial has been established to the Alzheimers Foundation and donations may be made through the funeral home. Return to top
What’s your fondest memory of Dee?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dee?
Share a story where Dee's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dee you’ll never forget.
How did Dee make you smile?