Dillard Sturgill, 85, formerly of Columbia City, died peacefully in the company of family at 2:10 p.m. Monday, March 4, 2024, at his home in Oklahoma.

Born on January 1, 1939, in Pound, Virginia, he was a son of the late James Thurston and Matilda (Sturgill) Sturgill. Growing up in Pound he attended Flat Gap School in Pound and then Westward Elementary in Columbia City.

On April 2, 1957 he entered the United States Air Force.  While serving he gained his GED.  He was honorably discharged on March 31, 1961.

On November 24, 1957 he was united in marriage to Peggy Smith.  They started their married life in Great Falls, Montana, then moved to Columbia City and Mooresville, Indiana.  More recently, they have made their home in Claremore, OK, to be closer to family.

He worked at Metallurgical Processing Inc., and later at Flow-Tech Plumbing and Heating before his retirement.

He was a member of the Columbia City Lodge # 189 F. & A.M.

Dillard enjoyed fishing, gardening and pitching horse shoes.

Surviving is his wife, Peggy, children, Alan J. (Karen) Sturgill of Claremore, OK., and Jodie R. (Micah) Briner of Martinsville, sister Jewell (Gene) Clem of Sneedville, TN, and brother Dan (Sharon) Sturgill of Warsaw, Indiana; six grandsons, five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Todd Sturgill; sisters, Florine Anderson and Mabel Stokes; brother, Carlos Sturgill; sister, Helen Stevenson, and sister-in-law, Eunice Sturgill.

The funeral service is 11 a.m. Thursday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  Burial will be at the Nolt Cemetery with military honors. Visitation is 3 to 7 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Dillard's honor are to Whitley County Council On Aging.