Winfred "Joy" Dillon, age 95, a lifelong resident of the city of Custer, SD, passed away comfortably May 18, 2016, at the Custer Regional Senior Care Center.

Joy was born July 19, 1920, in Winner, SD, to Sam and Nellie (Ziegler) Collins. She graduated Winner High School and from Hastings Collage, Hastings, NE, in 1941, with a Bachelors of Arts degree. Joy taught school in White River, SD, and later on in life taught many students music from her home. She used this education to publish a book titled "Stone in the Water", based on her life and family memories from growing up on the farm in Winner. Joy and her husband, Charles, extended the love of their home to a number of foster children. Gene Andahl of Helena, MT maintains contact as time elapses. She was active in the community with 4-H, some extension groups and Joy was a member of Eastern Star for many years.

Joy would provide musical accompaniment when requested and enjoyed the opportunity and she regularly performed with the Winter Singers of Custer. Joy was a member of the Custer Community Church and sang in the choir and taught Sunday School for many years. She also enjoyed visiting other Churches of Christ in the region as a delegate from Custer. Joy provided beautiful cakes for weddings, birthdays and anniversaries, all completed with great talent and pride. While Joy cursed the climate and vermin of the Custer Area when she attempted to garden, it did not stop her from trying. Her other hobbies included knitting, quilting crocheting and sewing.

Joy is survived by her daughter, Wanda Dillon Morgan and husband Albert Morgan of Custer and their three children, Sean Morgan of St. Roberts, MO; Jana Miller of Sherburne, NY, Mecia Graham of Vermillion, SD; son, C. Patrick Dillion and wife, Susan A. Stokes Dillion of Custer and their three children, Zachary Dillon of Custer; Jacob Dillon of Custer; Jules Dillion of Rapid City, SD; son in law, Jack Kitchen; brother, Sam Collins of Omaha, NE; thirteen great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.

Joy was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Charles P. Dillon; parents; a short loved sister; daughter, Denise Kitchen; and many family members of her young life on the farm in Winner.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. thru 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer service at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Custer and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

A memorial has been established in Joy's name to provide Liberal Arts Scholarships through the Custer Community Church.