Ernest (Ernie) John Dill passed away on July 26, 2023. He was born on Nov. 13, 1942 at 1300 hours at St. Petersburg, Florida. 13 was his lucky number. Born to Ernest W. and Mary Dill, his father served 20 years in the Air Force and Ernie grew up all over the states. After he graduated from high school, he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Air Force.
He met Henrietta (Henri) Ruef of Mount Angel, Oregon and then they were married on Dec. 26, 1964 at St. Mary’s in Mount Angel, exactly 58 1/2 years ago to the date of his passing.
During his 20-year military career, the family lived in Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Mississippi, Texas, South Carolina, Washington, and California. During that time, five children were born which made traveling an experience. He also spent one year in Iran while his family stayed in Oregon. After retiring in 1984, he brought his family back to Oregon to live, opened Engelberg Antiks in Mount Angel that October and the next year, Engelberg Antiks 2 opened in downtown Salem.
In 2006 where Engelberg Antiks once stood, became Edelweiss Village with the now famous Glockenspiel. After 38 years, in 2022, Salem’s Engelberg Antiks was sold. He kept busy but his day was not complete without a stop at Bochsler’ s hardware store, where he and Blackie would solve all the fishing and hunting problems of the world.
A full life well lived, he will be missed by his wife Henri; his children, Lori (Randy) Lathrop of Mount Angel, Bryant (Pamela) Dill of Dupont Way (in Washington), Lena Dill of Mount Angel, and Traci (Tony) Buller of Silverton; granddaughter, Miki Dill; grandsons, Jonathan, William, and Alex Lathrop, Kylie Dill, Brogan, Dalton, and Grayson Buller; and his sisters from Louisiana, Jackie Chatelain, Jennie Moreau and Mary Moreau.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Henry (Hank) Dill, and grandsons Thomas and Taylor Lathrop.
Funeral services were held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mount Angel, on Tuesday, Aug. 1. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel – Mount Angel.
