Don Merle Dillingham, age 73 died Tuesday February 11, 2014 at White Oak Manor in Kings Mountain with his family and close friends by his side. Born on September 12, 1940 in Cleveland County, he was the son of the late Hugh Joshua  Sr. and Annie Jones Dillingham. He retired as a District Manager after 43 years years from Canteen Vending, and was a former member of the Shelby Rotary Club. He was a lifelong member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where he served on many committees. Don enjoyed working on his farm, raising cattle, and spending time with his family and many friends. In addition to his parents, Don is preceded in death by two brothers, Deeley Dillingham and Hugh Dillingham Jr. and his wife Elizabeth, and brother-in-law, Dan Camp.

Don is survived by his wife of 43 years, Carolyn Towery Dillingham;  two daughters, Rhonda Benfield and husband Chris of Lawndale, and Kimberly Cloyd and husband Ray of Gastonia; two sisters, Ruby Camp of Charlotte and Carolyn Hamrick and husband Carroll Hamrick, Sr. of Shelby; four grandchildren, Rebecca Benfield, Zachary Benfield, Joshua Cloyd, and Matthew Cloyd; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday February 16, 2014 at 3: 00 pm at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Greg Martin officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 3:00 pm before the service in the sanctuary.  His Sunday School Class, the Wells Lowery Class, will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.

Memorials can be made to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 2338 Pleasant Hill Church Road, Grover, NC 28073.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Dillingham.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com