Carolyn Marie Dillon Chaney

Carolyn Marie Dillon Chaney, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025.

Born to John C. Dillon and Elsie (Carroll) Dillon, Carolyn grew up in Barnhill, Ohio, where her love for music, art, and family began to take root.

She attended Midvale High School. Carolyn’s life was rich with creativity and heart. She had an extraordinary gift for music—if you placed an instrument in front of her, she could play it. She sang in a country band while raising her children, and later found joy and community singing in the Sacred Heart Church choir.

Carolyn was also a gifted painter, whose artistic talents were as vibrant and expressive as her personality.

In her early years as a mother, Carolyn cherished summers spent at Tall Timbers and Atwood Lake with her children and her close-knit group of girlfriends and their kids. These were some of her happiest times—filled with sunshine, laughter, and lifelong memories.

She began her married life and raised a family in New Philadelphia, eventually settling in Dover in 1975, where she lived the remainder of her life.

Carolyn endured profound heartbreak, having lost her children, Todd Tolloti, Mia Tolloti Kepoo, and infant son, David. She carried their memories with her every day and found strength and joy in the love of her husband, Charles “Chuck” Chaney; her daughter, Julie Tolloti (Rick) Papaleo; cherished grandchildren, Kristie Galloway, Josh (Tanya) Roan, Shawna Kepoo, Toni Kepoo, Joshua Tolloti, and Jeremy Tolloti.

Her love extended to her stepchildren, Paul and Brenda Chaney and Rick and Jenine Gooch, as well as her great-grandchildren, Collin Bruder and Angelika Roan; and step-grandchildren, Chad Papaleo and Rachel (Papaleo) Cherry. Carolyn also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews. Her sister, Shirley Philabaum, who is currently in Dover Hennis, is bravely living with Alzheimer’s.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her siblings, Jeannie Petrullo and Ronnie Dillon.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the devoted staff of Divine Nursing Home and Crossroads Hospice. The care, compassion, and love you gave to Carolyn meant everything to her and to us. The family would also like to express gratitude to Lyrae Tingler and Debbie Herron who cared for Carolyn in her home. She truly loved you all to the end.