John Cabot Diller Jr.

Born August 12, 1928 in New Haven, CT, John attended The Hotchkiss School in Lakeland, CT. He enlisted in the Army Air Force to finance his college education through the GI Bill. He served three years (1946–1949) of active duty, assigned primarily in the Philippines, and was honorably discharged as a buck sergeant.

A 1953 graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, John was an active member and past president of Theta Chi fraternity and received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Upon graduation from college, he was commissioned a 2nd Lt in the Army Air Force Reserve.

John met his wife, Mette Sorensen, a Danish nurse, at the University of Pennsylvania International House. They were married for over 50 years when Mette died in 2007. They had six children—Christine, Marianne, Thomas, Elizabeth, John III (deceased) and Charlotte. They also had six grandchildren—Heather, Jason, Lindsey, Melissa, Jessica and Alexis—and lived for many years in Birmingham, MI and then Shelby Township, MI. John later moved to Raleigh, NC and recently to Sun City, AZ.

John worked as an auditor/supervisor for the car companies and was also active in the Air Force Reserves. He was an Air Force Academy and ROTC Liaison Officer, active in recruiting and as an Advisor to the Air Force Academy Parents’ Club of Eastern Michigan. While Colonel Diller retired from the USAF Reserves in 1983 after 30 years of service, he continued his work as a liaison officer and advisor. Colonel Diller received an Air Force Commendation Medal for his distinguished work as an Air Force Academy Liaison Officer and was honored in 2008 by the Michigan USAFA Parents Club for 35 years of support.

John was also an enthusiastic, lively and active Toastmaster, bridge player, storyteller, collector of stories, and author of four books: House 579, Crooks and Books, Life on the Ridge, and Jokes for the John. He was in the midst of writing his fifth book, Words from A Life, when he passed.

John is survived by five of his children, six grandchildren, brother Robert and various nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by brother Richard, sister Lucia and step-sister Janet.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 11 at Lee Funeral Home in Little River, South Carolina. The service will be live streamed and may be viewed on the LFH Facebook page.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Diller family may be shared at www.leefhandcrematory.com.

In lieu of flowers, consider making a positive difference in the lives of others as John did, by contributing to a cause that is important to you, volunteering your service, or making someone feel special or brightening their day with a smile, a joke, a song or words of appreciation.