John was born on October 19, 1945, in Philadelphia, a son of the late Benjamin W. and Margaret “Marge” (Cunningham) Dill.

He was married to the former Bernadette M. Mackel, on June 27, 1963, in Philadelphia. Bernadette preceded him in death on January 19, 2019.

Early in his working career, John was employed as an auto mechanic with the Philadelphia Police Department. He then went into business for himself and owned / operated JD Equipment Service. He was then employed for most of his working career as a supervisor for the former Quehanna PermaGrain Products manufacturing facility until his retirement. During his retirement, John was employed as the head of security with the Crossroads Club, Moshannon; and for a period of time as a Clearfield County Deputy Coroner.

John was a member of St. Mary Assumption Catholic Church, Frenchville. 

He enjoyed various activities during his lifetime including: certifications in SCUBA diving and EMT instruction; serving as an EMT with the Karthaus Ambulance Service; and he earned a Black Belt in Karate. John enjoyed outdoor activities including: hunting, archery, reloading and gunsmithing.  He looked forward to heading out every weekend for a road trip with his daughter, Bernadette; whether it was to one of their favorite restaurants, going to flea markets, antique shops or to the former Curtiss-Wright facility / Quehanna Wild Area or to Benezette to see the elk. 

John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bernadette; a daughter, Courtney E. McGhee; and a sister, Margaret Dill-Rienhart.

He was the last of his generation.

He is survived by two daughters, Bernadette M. Ditty-Hynd and her husband, Troy, of Tyrone and Kristin A. Shirey and her husband, Brian Wimer, of Boalsburg; four grandchildren: Stephanie Keith and her husband, Dan, of Hollidaysburg, Elizabeth Ditty and her fiancée, Tiffany Stimeling, of Lewistown, R.J. Shirey, of Virginia and Mariah McGhee, of Boalsburg; two nephews, Ritchie Rienhart and Joseph Rienhart and his wife, Kathy (Simler), all of Browns Mills, New Jersey; a brother-in-law, Richard Rienhart, of Browns Mills, New Jersey; his “life-long” friends: John and Tammy Coudriet, of Karthaus, Buddie Talone, of North Carolina and James and “Niney” Barnard and Christopher King, all of Philadelphia; and numerous other extended family members and friends.

There will be no public visitation or memorial service.

Memorial contributions may be made in John’s memory to the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 719 E. Spruce Street, Philipsburg, Pa 16866.