Notes for: Orlena Mae Bodine

From Ronny Bodine:

Obituary, Springfield Daily News (Springfield, Mo.) of 17 Aug 1943.
Captain Etcyl Dillard, Jr., 26, son of Mr. and Mrs. Etcyl Dillard, 1519 St. Louis, was killed in the crash of an Army bomber July 10 in the North African war theater, his wife, the former Orlena Bodine, 1161 South Ferguson, was informed yesterday by the War Department. Details of the crash were not contained in the message. Members of the family last night said that he was in charge of an anti-aircraft crew, which frequently was flown by plane to the various fronts. Captain Dillard was a gradaute of Senior High School and attended State Teacher's college. He and his wife were married in 1938. Before entering the armed services, he was employed by the Cooper Supply company. He joined the National Guard in 1936, and was commissioned a first lieutenant, September 1, 1940. He received his captaincy a year ago last May.

Obituary, Leader-Press (Springfield, Mo.) of 9 Dec 1971.
Mrs. Orlena Mae Dillard, 56, of 1605 North Fairway Terrace, died at 3:15 p.m. Wedneday in st. John's Hospital following a long illness. Mrs. Dillard was a clerk in the electrical department at City Utilities, a member of the Baptist Church, and Eastern Star. Her husband, Capt. Etcyl D. Dillard, was killed in WWII in Italy on July 10 1943. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Melsena Boykin, of San Truce, Puerto Rico; two brothers, Keith Bodine, of Pasadena, Tex., and William Bodine, of Raytown; two sisters, Miss Phyllis Bodine, of 1605 North Fairway Terrace, and Mrs. Lois G. Van Eltten, of Fulton, Calif.; her mother, Mrs. Grace Lela Bodine, of 1605 North Fairway Terrace; and three grandchildren. Funeral arrancements are under the direction of Herman Lohmeyer.