Obituary of Richard W. Pillar

Richard W. "Dick" Pillar, age 79, of Yankton, SD passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Monday, February 3, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, with Rev. Mark Lichter officiating. Burial of his cremated remains will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, with Military Graveside Rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard and the SDARNG Honor Guard of Sioux Falls, SD. Visitations will begin at 5:00 PM, Sunday, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a rosary at 7:00 PM, Elks Memorial at 7:15 PM and Scripture service, video tribute and memory sharing at 7:30 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Dick was born April 9, 1934 in Scotland, SD to Joe and Angela Pillar. He attended school in Scotland, where he graduated from High School in 1952. He attended the University in Vermillion, where he received a degree in business in 1956. He later enlisted in the Army, where he was stationed at Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas as a Chaplin assistant, then was later discharged in 1963. Dick married Adelia "Dee" Pfeiffer of Yankton on June 16, 1958 at Sacred Heart Church, Yankton. Dick was working for Christopherson's Flowers, when he decided to open his own flower shop in Yankton in 1967. Dick and Dee quickly added another business, the travel agency, the following year in 1968. Pillars Colonial House of Flowers and Travel, found its permanent home at 714 Douglas, where it stayed until they sold the flower shop, and moved the Travel Agency to the 200 block of Capital. It stayed there for a short time, till they sold the business, and decided to retire. Dick held many odd jobs, since then, keeping him busy, even though he was retired. Dick worked as the secretary for the Elks Lodge, and at First National Bank call center. There he made many friends, in which he still stayed in contact with, even after he left. Dick was involved with many organizations around Yankton. He was part of the Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Catholic church, the historical museum, and the Elks, which he was most passionate about. He was a member of 59 years, which included Past Exalted Ruler, Past State President, Past District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler. He and Dee attended many state and national conventions for the Elks, which broadened his friendships in the Elks community. Dick was also involved with the singing group "The Balladeers", which consisted of his mother and many friends in the community of Scotland. They had a great time performing at many different functions around the state, including the State Fair. Dick and Dee loved spending time with their friends and family, whether it was parties in their backyard, or taking tours across the world via the travel agency, or the many conventions with the Elks. Dick also loved being out at the lake, and spending time on the houseboat, with his friends and family. All in all, both Dick and Dee loved to entertain their friends. Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Dee in 2011, and his parents. He is survived by his brother Joe (Dorcas) Sioux Falls, SD; his two sons Dave (Gerri Lynn) Pillar, Lewistown, MT; Doug (Deb) Pillar, Henderson, NV; and many relatives. Also surviving are his roommate/cats; April, Coon, and Precious.