Vesta Geraldine Dillinger

Vesta Geraldine Beam was born June 19, 1918, at Esbon, Kansas, to Will and Rose (Morrow) Beam, and died Tuesday, September 3, 2013, at the age of 95 years, 2 months, and 14 days.

Vesta attended school in Esbon, graduating from Esbon High School in 1936, as valedictorian. She attended York College, in York, Nebraska for two years and graduated from Kansas State College (before it was a University), with a degree in Home Economics in 1940. She married Rodney Keith McCammon on August 18, 1939, at Wichita, Kansas. To this union three children were born – Barbara Sue, Ronald William, and Paul Zinn.

For the first ten years of marriage they lived in Manhattan, Kansas; Washington, D.C.; and Topeka, Kansas. Rod worked for the USDA. In 1948, they moved to the farm southwest of Mankato.

Vesta served on many church and county committees such as the United Methodist Women and served as the president; FHA committee for two years, Extension Council, two terms as secretary; She was also active in Bide-a-Wee Club, V.F.W. Auxiliary, and a honorary member of the Mankato Garden Club.

Due to Rodney’s ill health, they spent the winters in Texas and Arizona. Even after Rod’s death on October 27, 1985, Vesta continued going to Desert Shadows Park in Phoenix. On June 19, 1999, she married Sidney Dillinger. They continued traveling to Phoenix until their health started failing. They had nine years together until Sidney died in 2008.

Vesta enjoyed spending time with family, flower gardening, crafting, reading and traveling. She taught knitting to her grandchildren, and for the extension department. Vesta was a judge at county fairs in the area on knitting and crocheting. Those who knew her enjoyed her baking especially her pies and orange rolls.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Rodney McCammon and Sidney Dillinger; and a foster brother, Ward Runyan. Vesta will be missed most by her loving family: daughter – Barbara and husband, Bill Thomas of Mankato, Kansas; sons – Ronald and wife, Charlene McCammon of Snohomish, Washington, and Paul and wife, Kelli McCammon of Spring, Texas; nine grandchildren - Nora Jo Cavanaugh, Debbie Allton, Lisa Sorensen, Rex Thomas, Brett McCammon, Chad McCammon, Tawyna Mitchell, Joshua McCammon, and Nathan McCammon,; fourteen great-grandchildren; numerous step–children; step-grandchildren; step-great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life service for Vesta G. McCammon Dillinger was held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 6, 2013, at the Harmony United Methodist Church, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastors Thaddeus Hinkle and Rollin Dillinger officiating. Mrs. Pat Grout was the organist, and songs were sang by the Harmony United Methodist Quartet, of Allen and Elaine Smith, and Jon and Rosalie Menhusen. Pastor Thaddeus Hinkle also sung “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” and Mona McCammon sung "Blessed Assurance." The casket bearers were: Brett McCammon, Chad McCammon, Rex Thomas, Nathan McCammon, Joshua McCammon, and Philip Menhusen. Honorary Casket Bearers were: Keith Cavanaugh, Kevin Allton, Marty Sorensen, Doug Mitchel, Billy Keith Cavanaugh, Jayton Van Pelt, Darous Allton, Wade Allton, Arlen Jeffrey, Don Beam, and John Beam. Interment was in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas, beside her husband, Rodney McCammon. The family suggests memorials to: Harmony United Methodist Church, or Jewell County Hospital, Long-term Care, Activities department. If you would like to leave an online condolence, go to www.melbymortuary.com. Melby Mortuary, 402 N. High Street, P O Box 384, was in charge of arrangements.