Patrick L. “Pat” Dillon, age 85, of Dubuque and formerly of East Dubuque, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Stonehill Health Center.  To celebrate Pat’s life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Friday, July 25, 2025, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at St. Raphael Cathedral, 231 Bluff Street.  Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Pat Dillon was born in the backseat of a Chevy car on August 23, 1939.  Pat was the 3rd child, and 1st boy of 10 children in the Lawrence “Larry” and Ann (Norton) Dillon family.  He had a happy childhood, being raised on “Irish” Southern Avenue and learned life lessons from the B.V.M. Sisters at St. Raphael Cathedral.  Pat continued his education at Loras Academy, Class of 1957, and went into the Army at age 17, right after graduating.  While in the service, Pat fired “Expert” with the M1rifle on the known distance range and with the Carbine.  He was high man in the battalion in 1959, at Camp McCoy in Wisconsin.

In 1960, Pat was hired at John Deere Dubuque Works and worked there for more than 37 years.  While at John Deere, Pat became active in the Union and was a full time union representative for UAW Local 94 for 28 years, including as President for 21 of those years.  During this active leadership Pat attended many classes and leadership conferences regarding social security, worker’s compensation and insurance claims.  Pat attended several of those classes at the University of Iowa.

Pat was very active in local and national politics.  He was involved in many, many political campaigns and was elected as a delegate in 1976, to the National Democratic Convention held in New York City as a delegate for Jimmy Carter.  He kept in touch with President Carter and his wife Rosalynn until they passed away.

He was very involved with his local community.  Some of the organizations Pat supported include Boy Scouts of America, Founder and Institutional Representative of Troop #94, Elected to the Board of Northeast Iowa Council B.S.A., the United Way Fund Raising Committee, United Way Board of Trustees, Vice President of the United Way, Medical Associates H.M.O. Board, Greater Dubuque Development Commission, Dubuque Civil Service Commission Chairman, Foundation Board of Northeast Iowa Technical Institute and was a trained mediator for Small Claims Court.

Pat married the love of his life, Karen Sear on August 26, 1961, at Nativity Church.  His family meant the world to him, and Pat was a great role model for them.  In his free time, Pat enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and golfing.  He was also an avid Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan.

Those left to cherish Pat’s memory include

his wife,
Karen Dillon, Dubuque, IA;

his children,
Trisha (T.J.) Reck, Dubuque, IA,
and Larry (Laura) Dillon, Des Moines, IA;

his grandchildren,
Kaden (Courtney) Dillon, Danna Dillon, Dakota (Emily) Dillon, Morgan (Sid) Reck-Tessendorf;

a bonus great-grandson,
Noah;

siblings,
James (Lois) Dillon, Dubuque, IA,
Thomas (Sue) Dillon, Dubuque, IA
and Jerome “Jerry” Dillon, Sarasota, FL;

2 sisters-in-law,
Donna Dillon, Dubuque, IA
and Sue Dillon, Davenport, IA;

many nieces and nephews;

and many godchildren.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Susan Dillon, Margaret “Peggy” Dillon, Kathleen “Kae” (Dean) Edwards, Michael “Mike” Dillon, Angela “Angie” Kaune and Joseph “Joe” Dillon; and a sister-in-law, Connie Dillon.

Pat’s family would like to thank Dr. Janes and Dr. Ramabadran for their outstanding care throughout the years.  Also special thanks to the nurses and staff of Stonehill and Hospice of Dubuque for their compassionate care.

Cards and memorials in Pat’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Patrick Dillon Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com