Obituary of Lee Sterner Dilliard

It is with great sadness that the family of Lee Sterner Dilliard announces his sudden passing on Saturday, June 9, 2018. Born April 16, 1939, in Bethlehem, Pa, he was the son of the late Melvin and Bertha Sterner Dilliard. On January 28, 1961 he married the love of his life, Julia A. Capparelli, Lee will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 57 years, 2 children, Deborah Lee Schafer and her husband Daryl and Michael F. Dilliard; three beautiful granddaughters, Katherine "Katie" Schafer of Aaronsburg, Autumn Blaze Dilliard and Chloe Noel Dilliard of Centre Hall who he dearly loved; a brother, James Dilliard and his wife, Barbara, and a sister-in-law, Elaine Dilliard. Lee was preceded in death by sister, Louise Hess and her husband, Charles, and brother, Melvin Dilliard Jr. Lee graduated from Wilson Borough High School of Easton, PA in 1957 and received a bachelor's degree in Dairy Science from Penn State University in 1961. He worked as an agricultural supply salesman for Centre Hall Farm Store and also did commercial and farm crop spraying for 35 years, he founded Nature's Way Poultry and Dairy Farm in 1973 in Spring Mills, Pa. where he worked with his son and long-time farmhand Dale Ronk. In 1977, Lee and his daughter were one of the original founding farm families of the State College Downtown Farmers Market which still exists today. Later in life Lee became a realtor specializing in Rural & Farm properties for Kissinger, Bigatel & Brower in State College, Pa. Lee was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. He and his wife were founding members of Blessed Kateri Catholic Church in Spring Mills, Pa. In addition, Lee was a member of Knights of Columbus and a proud alumni of the professional agriculture fraternity Delta Theta Sigma (DTS) at Penn State where he served as House Advisor in the early 80s. Lee was a farmer at heart. He was grounded in his faith, a hard worker, a good provider and he put his family foremost in his life. He was a life-long Republican and patriotic American. When he wasn't busy working, he enjoyed talking politics, was always quick to offer a few words of wisdom, a good joke or a witty pun. Lee grew up near the Nazareth Speedway watching stock car racing. He loved Chrysler automobiles and had acquired a collection of vintage cars that he enjoyed driving and maintaining. Visitation will be 4 until 6 p.m., Friday, June 15, 2018 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College, PA. Funeral Mass will be at 11 AM Saturday, June 16, 2018 at Our Lady Of Victory, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, PA with Father Dadey officiating. Burial will be in Centre County Memorial Park. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Lee's memory. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.