Kendel-Ra "Jarbo" Dilli's Obituary
Kendel-Ra Dilli was born on Tuesday, June 15, 1954 in Wichita, Kansas. His proud parents were Kenneth Dean and Del-Rae (Wallace) Dilli.
As a youngster his grandpa Wallace gave him the nickname “Jarbo” and most people knew him by that name.
He spent his growing up years on the Dilli homestead west of town, living in a stone farmhouse with his parents and sister. He always had animals, especially horses and dogs.
He attended Howard Elementary School. During his teenage years he always had a job, one being hauling hay. He loved to tell stories about the guys he worked with putting square bales in many unique places during the hot summer months. He graduated in 1973 with the last class of North Elk High School.
In August 1973, he left Howard to explore life outside Elk County. He and a classmate Jack Deniston did their Naval basic training in San Diego, California. After graduating from basic training, he was assigned to the USS Samuel Gompers ship. He worked in the foundry department. He served his country from 1973 to 1977. His ship was involved with battles during the Vietnam War. He received an honorable discharge.
On April 14, 1975, he married Jarla Jarvi in San Diego, California. To this union two sons were born- Jarbo Kenneth on March 17, 1976 in San Diego and Travis Dean on June 6, 1979 in Eureka, Kansas. They divorced in 2015.
In 1977 Kendel-Ra moved his young family back to Elk County. One of his jobs was working with his dad for Elk County which he enjoyed. His dad taught him the proper way to run a road grader. Another job was laying pipe for rural water across Elk County. The last job was working for Perkins Oil Company. He used his skill as welder, something he had been doing since he was 10 years old. While working in the oil field there was an accident, which resulted in 2nd and 3rd degree burns over the upper half of his body.
In 1984 he moved his family to Renton, Washington where his wife had family. He attended Renton Vocational Technical Institute graduating with honors in June, 1987. Davis Wire in Kent, Washington was so impressed with his skills he was offered a job before he graduated. His job was to keep the machines running that made the different types of wires. He invented a device that would make the machines run more efficient and received an award. The company respected his knowledge and skills and he traveled all over the world to their different facilities. He was with the company over 25 years before taking early retirement due to health issues.
On August 28, 2017, through social media, he found Jill McCollum, a girl he knew in high school. In 2019 he moved back to Kansas settling in Salina. On August 28, 2020 they went to the Saline Courthouse and got married. On their first anniversary they had a ceremony in their yard in front of 60 friends and relatives. Susan Galvan, a minister and friend officiated the wedding vows.
Kendel-Ra wanted to be baptized so he took classes at the High Praise Church in Salina and received baptism on August 28, 2022.
Kendel-Ra left this earth and became an angel on Thursday, October 12, 2023. His life touched so many people.
He is survived by his wife Jill of the home. His sons Jarbo and wife Shelly of Renton, Washington and Travis and wife of Houston, Texas. His sister Debbie Parks of Topeka, Kansas, Aunt Peggy Knisley of Rose Hill and cousins on both sides of the Wallace and Dilli family tree.
Grandchildren Skyler Andrew Reinhart, Stephanie Ann Reinhart and Spencer Austin Reinhart, Emalee Goldie Dilli, and Talon Morgan Dilli. Great-grandchildren are Gauge Elbe Smith, Beau Cedar Smith, Abigail Brant, and Mason Mack Reinhart.
Predeceased family include his parents Kenneth and Del-Rae Dilli and grandparents Raymond and Lucille (Scott) Wallace, and Raymond and Ella (Bales) Dilli.
Graveside service with military honors will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, October 20, 2023 at the Cresco Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be at the Sweet and Spicy Restaurant in Howard, Kansas from noon to 1:30 PM
His ashes will be buried with his loyal canine companion Lola.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association and may be mailed to or left with the funeral home.
Services entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, PO Box 1233, Howard, KS 67349.
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