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LINCOLN  J. Paton Dellow, age 70, of Lincoln, IL died peacefully at home on June 16, 2013.

J. was born on January 4, 1943 in Monroe, MI, the son of Reginald Leonard Dellow and Betsy Ann Dellow. He was married to Karen Margaret Mueller on January 28, 1972 in Wilmette, IL . She survives.

J. is also survived by 5 children, Bradley ‘Doug' Dellow of McKinney, TX, Brandi ‘Miki' (Charles) Spellman of Tempe, AZ, Brooke (Jonathan) Scott of St. Charles, MO, Brittney (Andrew) Cosby of Broadwell, IL, and Brett (Megan)Dellow, of Lincoln, IL. J. has 8 grandchildren, Morgan and Nolan Dellow, Jane and Diana Spellman, Caleb and Grace Scott, Lainey Cosby and MacKenna Dellow, J. is also survived by 1 sister, Beth Dellow of Baltimore, MD. J. was preceded in death by his parents and 1 sister, Tracy Dellow.

J. attended the Kentucky Military Institute before transferring to New Trier Township High School in Winnetka, IL where he graduated in 1961. He attended the University of Wisconsin, where he earned a degree in History and a minor in Political Science. J. joined the United States Army in 1967 and was promoted to Captain while serving in Vietnam. While in the military, J. became a Green Beret, a member of the Special Forces Airborne, and was recognized with the Bronze Star for service against hostile forces. He was also awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.

After returning to the U.S., J. married and began working for the Illinois Department of Corrections as a Social Service Counselor. During that time he obtained a master's degree in Human Development Counseling and a minor in Public Administration from the University of Illinois. J. was promoted to Public Service Administrator and ended his 32 years with the state as the Southwest Operations Center Supervisor. Shortly after his retirement, J. began to conduct nationwide certification audits of prisons and jails for the American Correctional Association. J. conducted audits for ACA for 11 years.

Community service was an important part of J.'s life. In 1999 he received the Department of Corrections Volunteer of the Year Award. His volunteer efforts include 20 years with the Boy Scouts, 24 years with Boys State and 25 years with Gifts for Yanks. J. was a member of the American Legion Post #263 and the American Legion Honor Guard, VFW, Elks, 40 & 8, the Special Forces Association and the American Correctional Association.

Since his retirement, J. and Karen have spent a great deal of time traveling. Together they have visited 39 countries and 14 islands in the Caribbean. They also enjoyed traveling with their family. J. loved snorkeling and scuba diving with his children and fondly recalled that his favorite family trip was to Belize.

Memorial Services for J. will be at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, June 23, 2013 at the American Legion Post #263, 1740 5th St. Lincoln, IL. Memorials may be made to the Logan County Gifts for Yanks or to the American Legion Honor Guard and can be mailed to the American Legion Post #263, P.O. Box 425, Lincoln, IL 62656. Arrangements were entrusted to Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Lincoln, IL.