Lowell was born in Spring Hill, Iowa, and was a 1938 graduate of Spring Hill High School. A retired farmer, he had lived and farmed in the Spring Hill and rural Indianola area for most of his life. He enjoyed athletics and played high school basketball and baseball; he had also played in a semi-professional baseball league in the Des Moines area. His favorite pastimes were spectator sports and fishing. He especially enjoyed watching Cubs baseball. Through the years, he had taken several fishing trips to Canada, Minnesota, and Arkansas.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Russell and Ethel Dillard; his step-mother, Estella; uncle, George Dillard; and a nephew, Scott Dillard.

Surviving are his daughter, Beverly Jean (Lee) Walton of Quincy, IL; a brother, Wayne Dillard of Indianola; three grandchildren, Michelle Wellman, Julie Shepard and Derek Aamoth; five great-grandchildren, Brandon Riggs, Regan and Jordan Wellman, and Lauren and Grace Shepard; two nieces, Sue Bissell and Linda Dittmer; and a nephew, Brad Dillard.

Visitation will be held Thursday beginning at 9:00 a.m. until service time. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer's Organization or Mercy Hospice in Johnston.