John E. Dilley, 73, of Knox passed away at home Sunday March 2, following an extended illness.
Born February 1, 1941, in Franklin, he was the son of Bert Dilley and Ruth Botts. John graduated from North Clarion High School and then joined the Army.
While in the Army he served in Germany during the construction of the Berlin Wall, Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis and served as a sharp shooter in Vietnam and was awarded the sharp shooter medal. On July 4, 1961, John married Mary Gilbert who survives. Along with his wife John is survived by his mother, five children, William Dilley of Titusville, J. Scott (Lisa) Dilley of Strattanville, James Dilley of Pittsburgh, Deb (Keith) Courson of Clarion, Janice (Kirk) Byerley of Lamartine, nine grandchildren Anthony Dilley, Caleb Dilley, Joshua Dilley, Aaron Dilley, Katlyn Dilley, Tyler Dilley, Noah Dilley, Jakeb Byerley, and Makenzie Byerley. Also surviving are two great grandchildren Bailey Dilley, Emma Dilley, a brother Joseph Botts of Strattanville and a sister Sally Rapp of Shippenville.
John was preceded in death by his father, his step father Joseph Botts and his mother in law Mary Gilbert.
Private services will be held by the family. The McEntire-Weaver Funeral Home, 504 East Penn Ave, Knox, is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorials be made to American Heart Association PO Box 15120 Chicago, IL 60693, the National Kidney Foundation Finance Department 30 East 33rd St. New York, NY 10016 or the American Lung Association National Headquarters 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 800. Washington, DC 20004.