Skip (Arthur G.) Dillon

Skip (Arthur G.) Dillon, 76, passed away peacefully at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Skip is finally at peace and free of pain after many years of health struggles. Jan, Bob and Brian were with him in his final days.

Skip was born on July 16, 1949 in Binghamton, New York to the late John and Helen Dillon. He is survived by his wife, Janet “Jan” Olinger Dillon to whom he was united in marriage on November 8, 1974. They were blessed to be able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary last year. Skip is also survived by his two sons, Brian Matthew Dillon (Jazmine), Robert John “Bob” Dillon (Tai) and his only grandson, Griffin Rhys Dillon; sisters, Sue (Mike) Guley and Betty (Bill) Reeves; brothers, John (Nadine) Dillon, Brian Dillon, Tim Dillon, Tom (Polly) Dillon; sisters-in-law, Becky (Dave) Magelky and Mary Beth (Jeff) Wojciechowski; brothers-in-law, Tom (Laura) Olinger and Greg (Lisa) Olinger; and their families and one albino squirrel.

Skip was drafted and served in the Army during 1971 and 1972. He was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany, where he and Jan met and fell in love. He also served six years in the Army Reserve in Syracuse, New York. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the SUNY College of Forestry in Syracuse and completed a Master’s Degree in Paper Science Engineering.

The Dillon Family moved to Gladstone in 1986 when Skip was offered a job at Mead Paper. He worked at the mill for ten years then accepted a position at Albany International, the Appleton Wire Division, and continued there until his retirement in 2009. Skip was an Eagle Scout and was active in the local Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs for several years. He also volunteered for the U.P. Honor Flight, RSVP and the OSF Hospital Golf Outing. Skip was a kind, intelligent and generous person with a great sense of humor. Playing golf, cooking/grilling, gardening, fishing, carving wooden Santas and building using the Timber Frame method were hobbies he enjoyed. He especially loved golfing and spending time with his grandson, Griffin. Near the end, Skip said he had a wonderful life with a loving family and great friends. He was loved and will be missed by many. There will be a Celebration of Life in June of 2026.

Donations can be made in Skip’s name to the U.P. Honor Flight.