John Robert Dilling

John Robert Dilling, 93, of Seville, OH, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, at LifeCare Hospice in Wooster.

John was born on March 5, 1928 in Altoona, PA, the son of the late Ralph and Rose (Lower) Dilling.  He graduated from Lewistown High School in 1946 and from Wheaton College in 1949.  In 1952, he received his Master of Divinity from Grace Theological Seminary in Indiana. He subsequently pastored the Grace Brethren Church in North Canton, Ohio for 18 years.  Later receiving his Master’s Degree in Education, he taught at Louisville High School for 18 years. After teaching, he served for 18 years as the Camp Chaplain at Deer Meadow Campground in Cook’s Forest, PA. In retirement, (yes, 

yet another 18 years) he was able to pursue his woodworking hobby and was a member of the Buckeye WoodTurners and the North Coast Wood Turners.  John was a member of Grace Brethren Church in Rittman and did pulpit supply ministry in various churches over the years.  

Surviving is his wife of 72 years, Patricia (Holsopple) Dilling whom he married on June 19, 1949; his 3 children, Sharon Anne Russell of Gig Harbor, WA, Robert Martin and his wife, Sharon Dilling of Basye, VA and Deborah Sue and her husband, Matthew Tomsheck of the home they shared in Seville, OH; 7 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and a brother, David Dilling of West Lafayette, IN.  John was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Martha Brown and Betty Baptista.

Services will be Friday, Feb. 11th at 11:30 a.m. at Grace Brethren Church in Rittman with Pastors, Joe Cosentino, Bud Olszewski and Clark Genet officiating.  Burial will be held at a later date at Fairview Cemetery in Martinsburg, PA.  Friends may call on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church.  Tributes may be shared at www.Murray-Funeral-Home.com   Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Brethren Church, 44 S. First St., Rittman, OH 44270.

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