Underneath the playful exterior, Dillinger’s is deeply compassionate. They treat every family like their own, which is why they’ve been around since the 1920s. The current owners—a delightful couple named Mike and Sarah—have a mantra: “We laugh when we can, and we cry when we must.” That’s a life lesson, right there.
They also do free grief support groups and offer a “memory bear” service where they sew clothes of the deceased into stuffed animals. Yes, a teddy bear made from grandpa’s flannel shirt. It’s weirdly adorable.
What to Expect If You Visit
If you’re just curious and not planning a service (thankfully), you can still pop in. Open houses happen during holidays, and they host a “Day of the Dead” celebration every November. Altars, marigolds, and pan de muerto—it’s a party with a purpose.
Even the parking lot is charming. Locals use it as a shortcut to the diner next door. “Just cut through Dillinger’s lot—they don’t bite.” That’s the kind of neighborly trust that makes small towns great.
