ROCHELLE — Carl William Dilling, 87, passed away Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, at SwedishAmerican Hospital in Rockford. Carl was born on Jan. 31, 1932 in Rochelle to Carl and Alma (Jahn) Dilling. He married Mary June Alberts on Nov. 9, 1957 at Elim Reformed Church in rural Kings.
Carl’s quick smile and gentle spirit were ever present. His love of family and friends was always evident. Carl and Mary June’s home was always open and welcome to anyone.
As a profession, Carl raised cattle, hogs and grain but went above and beyond in supporting farming as a life style. Carl actively supported Ogle County 4-H programs, FFA, hosted the Farm Visit Days for the local schools, and flipped many a barbecued pork chop with the Ogle County Pork Producers.  
Through the years, Carl enjoyed driving many Kings and St. Paul students to school by bus. Carl proudly served as a Seabee in the Navy for four years.  He was stationed in the Philippines and Saipan.
Carl was an active member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church and School family and served on numerous boards.
Carl is survived by three children, Jeffrey (Debra Peterson) of Kings, Steven (Julie) of Rochelle, and Sheila (Erik) Thomack of Columbus, Indiana; four grandchildren, Stephanie (Bryan) Schmid of Rock Island, Jessica (Cedric) Elam of Chicago, Nathan and James Thomack of Columbus, Indiana; one great grandchild, Marion Schmid; a sister, Lorraine Ransford, Indianapolis, Indiana; a sister-in-law Dorothy (Donald) Daigle of Dale, Indiana, a brother-in-law John (Linda) Alberts of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin; and numerous loving nieces and nephews including a special niece, Tola.
Carl is preceded in death by his wife of almost 62 years, Mary June, on Oct. 20, 2019; and a son, Nicholas in 1968.
The visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St, Rochelle. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 24 at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 1415 Tenth Ave., Rochelle, with Pastor Greg Hoffmann officiating. Burial is at Lawnridge Cemetery with military rites provided by the Eastern Lee-Ogle Honor Guard.  
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Carl’s memory to St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church or the Ogle County 4-H.
Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.