UPDATED with celebration of life date

Dean A. Diller, 93, of Anchorage, Alaska and formerly of Pandora passed away July 1, 2025, at Willow Ridge - Betty House in Bluffton. Dean was born March 20, 1932 in Pandora to the late Earl and Alma (Luginbill) Diller.  On September 1, 1951, he married Alice (Baer) Diller and she preceded him in death on April 14, 2008. On November 28, 2009 he married Carol (Roten) Diller who survives.

Dean was a 1950 graduate of Pandora High School. He was a life-long farmer and missionary. Dean was a member of St. John Mennonite Church, Pandora and the Chapel by the Sea in Anchorage, Alaska. He was a Gideon for over fifty years and served with Transport for Christ for many years. Dean was past camp director of Echo Ranch Bible Camp in Juneau, Alaska and was active with the Alaska Christian Seafarers Ministry. He was a bus driver for Pandora schools and also drove in Juneau. Dean was a proud member of the Steiner-Diller quartet for over fifty years. 

Survivors include his wife, Carol Diller of Anchorage, Alaska; six children, Dwight (Karen) Diller of Riley, Kansas, Paula (Andrea′) Northwood of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Kent (Tammy) Diller of Pandora, Connie (Kent) Arthur of Pandora, Jeff (Alisa) Diller of Pandora, Diane (Ed) Basinger of Pandora; a daughter-in-law, Karen Diller of Pandora; a step-daughter, Regina (Ron) Bernier of Anchorage, Alaska; twenty-one grandchildren; three step grandchildren; fifty-eight great-grandchildren; five step great-grandchildren and a brother Donavin Diller of Beatrice, Nebraska. 

Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Alma Diller; his first wife, Alice Diller; a son, Mark Diller; a step-son, Bryan Roten and a brother, Roger Diller. 

The family would like to express appreciation for the wonderful and loving care that Dean received at Opus Memoria, Anchorage, Alaska and at Willow Ridge – Betty House in Bluffton. 

Private graveside services will take place in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Pandora. A celebration of Dean's life will begin at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 28, 2025 at St. John Bible Church, 15988 Road 4, Pandora. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 27, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Ebenezer Mennonite Church, 8905 Columbus Grove-Bluffton Road, Bluffton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Echo Ranch Bible Camp or Gideons International.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com/