DILLON ROBERT STATE

Dillon Robert State, born August 25, 1983, departed this life on August 16, 2014. Dillon began a life full of adventure here in the Ozark Mountains and achieved the honor of Eagle Scout, Mic-O-Say and Order of the Arrow. He greatly enjoyed the outdoors and took every opportunity to float the rivers and hike along our beautiful trails.

He followed his countries' call to duty and served 6 years in the United States Air Force with a rank of Staff Sergeant. He was a member of the elite pararescue unit of the USAF Special Operations Command with deployments at home and overseas including a tour in Iraq. But his heart was in the service of healing others, and he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing while living in Utah. Dillon was employed at the Utah State Prison in Draper.

Dillon and his wife, Rachel, were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Madelyn Margaret and Isabel Sara, who now reside in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dillon was an amazing father a wonderful friend to all who knew him. His gentle soul and infectious laughter will be greatly missed.

He is survived by a loving family, his mother Cindy Shull and her husband Jeff Dunshee of Willard; his father Bob State of Ava; his brother Weston State and fiancée Nikia Nelson of Springfield; his step-sister Maya Cook of Lindenwold, New Jersey and his maternal grandparents V.A. & Daisy Shull of Ava, as well as a host of other loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Robert State and Barney and Ruth Drapich.

Graveside memorial services for Dillon will be Wednesday, August 20, 2014, 10:00 a.m. at the Ava Cemetery, Ava, MO with full military honors by U.S. Air Force and Troy Herd American Legion Post 112. Officiating will be Pastor Oren Alcorn.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dillon State Memorial Fund at a First Home Savings Bank for the education of his two precious daughters, Madie and Izzy.