Fred Dillner

Fred D. Dillner, 80, 217 Means Hollow Road, Shippensburg, “Blythstead,” died Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at home.
Born April 6, 1930 in Bairdford, PA, he was a son of the late Louis and Ethel Dillner, and was raised on the family farm.
He was a teacher for 41 years, retiring in 1993 as a Young Adult Farmer instructor in the Shippensburg Area School District. He was also a former mentor for beginning teachers of agriculture at Penn State Mont Alto Campus. He received his B.S. and Master’s degrees from the Penn State University.
Fred was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, where he served several terms as chairman of the Trustees, served on the Finance Committee, was a substitute Adult Sunday School Teacher, and served on many other committees.
Fred was very involved in the Shippensburg Community. He was a member of the Cumberland Valley Cooperative Advisory Board, Cumberland County Agricultural Farm Land Preservation Board, Shippensburg Historical Society, Penn State Alumni Association, chairman of the Shippensburg Farm-City Week for over 50 years, president of the Shippensburg Area Chamber of Commerce in 1984, treasurer of the Shippensburg Community Fair for 38 years and board member for 51 years, President of PA Vocational Assn. 1967-1968, co-chairman of the Agricultural Committee of the 250th Anniversary celebration in Cumberland County, and editor for the Cooperative Basic Handbook “The Young Farmer and his Cooperative.”
His honors and awards include, Master Educator Award from the Pa Association of Farmer Cooperatives, Outstanding Young Farmer Advisor for PA in 1982, Community Service Award from Shippensburg Area Chamber of Commerce in 1979, Distinguished Service Award from the Shippensburg Jaycees, and the Hal F. Doran Cooperative Business Education Award in 1994, the National Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association Honorary Life membership Award for Region VI, and the 2009 State Young Farmer Conference presented “The Richard Hoppes Memorial Award” to Fred, given to honor his life-long work in agriculture and for his furthering the Young Farmer programs..
He and his wife Rose received the Outstanding Leadership and Service Award presented by the Cumberland County Extension and the Outstanding Leadership and Community Service Award in promotion of rural-urban relationships in the Cumberland Valley, which was presented by the Franklin County Farm Bureau.
Fred loved antiques, primitive farm equipment, and restoration. He restored their home, built in 1754, which has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. During his life he enjoyed raising and training registered Brittany Spaniels, photography, and taking care of his farm animals. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was an avid Penn State Fan.
He was a veteran of the Korean War.
Fred is survived by his wife; Rose Spataro Dillner, two sons: James M. Dillner and his wife Jean, of Leola, and John M. Dillner, of Boulder, CO, a daughter; Jodi L. Ocker and her husband Keith, of Middletown, four grandchildren: Jessica and Jonathan Dillner and Nathan and Caleb Ocker, a sister: Dorothy Kennihan, of Valencia, and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins in Western Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by a brother: Glenn Dillner.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 11:00 AM in Christ United Methodist Church. The Rev. Michael C. Weigel and Rev. James Zeisloft will officiate. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery. Viewing will be Monday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral home, Inc., Shippensburg and at the church one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.
Graveside military services will be conducted by the Shippensburg VFW and American Legion Posts.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 354, Shippensburg, PA 17257.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.fogelsanger-brickerfuneralhome.com.