Dean Diller Obituary

Dean A. Diller

Dean A. Diller, 93, of Anchorage, Alaska, and formerly of Pandora, passed away Tuesday, 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 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 lifelong farmer and missionary. Dean was a member of St. John Mennonite Church, Pandora, and Chapel by the Sea in Anchorage, Alaska. He was a Gideon for over 50 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 Alaska Christian Seafarers Ministry. He was a bus driver for Pandora schools and also drove in Juneau. Dean was a proud member of Steiner-Diller quartet for over 50 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, and Diane (Ed) Basinger of Pandora; a daughter-in-law, Karen Diller of Pandora; a stepdaughter, Regina (Ron) Bernier of Anchorage, Alaska; 21 grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; 58 great-grandchildren; five stepgreat-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 stepson, Bryan Roten; and a brother, Roger Diller.

The family would like to express their appreciation for the wonderful and loving care that Dean received at Opus Memoria in 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 a.m. Monday, July 28, 2025, at St. John Bible Church, 15988 Road 4, Pandora. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, July 27, 2025, 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.

Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to be providing services to Dean's family.