Dillinger, Rev. Clarence L., 86, of Pinellas Park, passed away on September 24, 2007 under the care of the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast and Freedom Square in Seminole.
Born on March 31, 1921 in Titusville, PA to Ralph and Nellie Dillinger, Clarence was one of eleven children. His family moved to Buffalo, NY and there he met his future wife, Margaret Boast. Clarence served in the U.S. Army in World War II and was stationed in Cairo, Egypt. After his discharge he married Margaret in 1946. He worked at Bell Aircraft and then Moog Valve in Buffalo along with his brother Bill. He also founded Penn Radio and TV repair while in Buffalo. In 1957 Clarence heard God’s call to the ministry and he then moved his family to Gulfport, FL. There he founded Dillinger’s TV and studied for the ministry. Clarence was ordained by Open Bible Standard Churches, Inc. and established the Gulfport Open Bible Church. He pastored the church until his retirement and was known for his caring, forgiving and giving heart. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion. Also, Clarence was an avid golfer and bowler.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Pinellas Park, his daughter Susan of Holiday, his grandson Timothy of Nashville, his sister Florence Galczynski of Eustis, FL and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Hospice House Woodside on Saturday, October 6, 2007 at 5 pm with Rev. Ray and Elaine Leonard officiating. A private burial will be held at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. Please make memorial donations in lieu of flowers to the church, charity, nursing center or Hospice of your choice.
Veteran’s Funeral Care 524-9202
Rest in peace oh good and faithful servant
We are just thankful to have experienced Brother Dillinger’s fiery preaching and wisdom when he came to visit Pinellas Park Assembly. He is one of our best memories of growing up in the Lord, and having the Holy Spirit use him to teach us along our walk with the Lord. We thank God for him and are rejoicing that he is with his Lord and in good health and company at this very moment. Phil is also glad to have played some golf with him at Imperial Cove and that he was fun to be with on the golf course.
Sincerely meant and with much respect, Philip and Kim Smith
My deepest sympathy to daughter Susan on the loss of her beloved father.
dear aunt margaret susan and tim
barb and i were sorry to hear that uncle had gone to be with the lord
he served so faithfully these many years
our prayers are with you and wish we could be there
love you all
My heart felt sympathy to the family of Rev. Dillinger. In knowing and loving him, I have been truly blessed.
My seat mates, on a flight this week, were a minister and his wife, flying in from Texas for the United Pentecostal Conference in Tampa. During our wonderful conversation, I was telling them about Rev. Dillinger and what a kind and gentle man he has always been. A man of faith who shared the love of Christ with love and without hesitation. A wonderful husband and father as well.
I am saddened to learn of his passing as I’m sure all who knew and loved him are. Sincerely Donna
Just to let you all know that I am thinking of you and praying for you in the loss of Uncle Clarence. He was such a wonderful example of what the Lord can do in the life of a willing vessel. He touched so many lives with his joy, faithfulness, love and strength. He will be greatly missed by all of us who were privileged to know him as “Uncle” and to be touched again and again by his great love for the Lord. May the Lord offer comfort and peace to you in these days.
Much love,
Ginny
May God bless you with His care and love at this time of sorrow.
We know that he is celebrating his union with his Lord and Savior and he is just so happy to be with him.
Uncle Clearence was always so happy and I loved to hear him laugh, it was such a contagious one.
He was such a loving caring man.
I will miss him.
God bless and keep you always
Jane
Daughter of Doris Dillinger-Andrich
We are sorry for you lose, i am writing to say he was a GREAT Pastor and friends to us at Gulfport Open Bible. Pastor Saw me Grow up he taught me alot of diffrent things, He will be greatly Missed we send our love to Margret and Susan
Love
Roy , Michele and Renee
Aunt Margaret and Cousin Sue,
May God sustain you at this time and keep you in His care. Uncle Clarence has a wonderful testimony and so many were touched through his life. I know he is thrilled to be reunited with his loved ones and his Lord!
Love and prayers, Kathy
Our Prayers go with the family at this time of mourning. We knew the Dillingers and went to their church when we were younger.
Alma,Lois and Sandy Dunstan Hickory, NC
My mother, Mary Everett Stone, was a charter member of the Gulfport church. My son, Raymond, attended his first Sunday School there. Rev. Dillinger was a kind and loyal laborer for God in our community. When we would have any family crisis my mother would say: I’ll call brother Dillinger. We knew he had a special relationship with God. He is now rejoycing around the throne of God. My God grant him peace. My sincere sympathy to Mrs. Dillinger, Susan and Tim.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Rev Dillinger was a very caring person, he helped my family through many trying times as a child. I have so many fond memories at Gulfport Open Bible Church. He will be missed.
Love and Prayers, Dee Dee Cobane and Family
Uncle was one of the best– I admired him more than he probably ever knew. I will always remember his sweetness and infectious laugh. My prayers are with Aunt Margaret.
We miss you more than you ever knew. Our love and prayers to Margaret, Susan and Tim.
Dear Aunt Margaret, Susan and Tim,
Uncle will truly be missed by everyone that knew him, especially me. I will always remember his welcoming smile when I walked through the door each time we visited. It was a one of a kind smile that I will NEVER forget. As many times each yearas Mom could bring us down, your house was a second home to me growing up and Uncle always seemed to be one step above an Uncle to me!. I cherish the fun times we all had and those memories of our nights at McDonald?s. I still think of Aunt Margaret and Uncle each time I see a McDonald?s which is ever so often as they are located everywhere. I even cherish the time Uncle had to pull Susan?s dog off my brand new black patent leather shoe for sitting on Aunt Laura?s lap. I have so many more happy memories of our hair washing, the great meals we had together, reading the little prayer cards each day and many more. Memories do help to keep us going during times such as these. Justin and Billy both thought the world of Uncle. Billy loved his talks he had with him during his visits with his Grandma. He will truly be missed. My deepest sympathy and love to all of you.
Betty, Justin, Billy and Trevor
Our sincere condolences for Uncle Clarence. I remember my father Les and my Uncles Clarence and Bill laughing together whenever they had a chance to be with one another. It was always a happy occasion. Uncle Clarence will long be remembered.
Jim Dillinger
Clarence Dillinger impacted my life in so many different ways. I came to know him in 1966 through my Aunt Jay Mary Everett. My first fulltime job was with Bro D at the TV repair shop when I was only 14. He was my pastor, my mentor, my father figure, and most of all my good friend. I will miss his contagious smile and that unique little laugh. I’m so sure he recently heard these words: “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”
I am now at Southeastern University in Lakeland,Florida, molding young lives to be teachers just as Clarence Dillinger helped to mold my life. I will surely miss my friend!
Dear Aunt Margaret, I am Les’s daughter Carol. I am sorry to hear of Uncle Clarence’s passing, but know he is at Peace now. Please give all your family my condolences.
Love Carol
I am very sorry for the loss of such a great and gentle men. I had the honor of meeting him after delvering food to him and his wife. I will miss his smiling and gentle face. He always had a way to make you feel welcomed. WE WILL MEET AGAIN MY GENTLE FRIEND AND UNTIL THEN KEEP HEVEN A WARM PLACE WITH YOUR GENTLE SMILE.
I apologize for the lateness of this condolence. Pastor Clarence Dillinger was a special man. He was my only Pastor regardless of how many churches I attend he will alway be in my heart. I only recently heard of his passing, and am deeply saddened, the world is a darker place with his loss. Clarence was a loving, caring, respected man of God. Rest in Peace at the right hand of God my dear friend.