Vernon . Dill

January 14, 1924 - December 6, 2020

Vernon M. Dill Born January 14, 1924 in St. Louis, Missouri to the late Gustav Adolph and Emma (Piel) Dill, passed peacefully to rest in the arms of the Lord on Sunday, December 6, 2020, at the age of 96. He leaves behind his wife of 70 years, Helen (Knickmeyer) Dill, 5 Children, Lyn (Roy) Hortiz, Cristine Dill, Donna Barks, Daniel (Cheri) Dill, and Kathleen (John) Williamson, 12 Grandchildren: Scott Hortiz, Bobbie Mantle, Shawn (Allyson) Mantle, Michael (Patra) Barks, Tyler Barks, Ryan (Kara) Barks, Allison Barks, Kevin (Rachel) Dill, Kelly (Ryan) Menke, Ashley Dill, Drew Williamson, and Hayley Williamson, 12 Great-Grandchildren, his brother, Robert Dill, nephew David Dill, niece Marjory Weekly, and many beloved cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, beloved sister Jeanne Dill and grandson, Bruce Hortiz. Vernon attended Washington University in St. Louis and began his career in 1945 at age 22 as a drafting/mechanical engineer at the former St. Louis Car Company, where he was an active participant in teams developing, among other things, trains for the New York Subway system. He broke from his engineering career in 1946 to serve our country, managing radio communications out of Japan during WWII. After 30 years with St. Louis Car, Vernon continued his career with Fruin-Colnon (a/k/a FruCo) where he worked under contract engineering solutions for Ralston Purina for 18 years until his retirement in 1991. After marrying his high school sweetheart in 1950, Vernon and Helen bought an acre of land in North St. Louis County and together, with help from his father and uncles, built the home where they raised their 5 children and lived for more than 60 years. As an early adopter of organic gardening, Vernon cultivated a large garden of fresh vegetables every year, and provided fresh fruit from multiple fruit trees and grape vines, for eating and canning. This, perhaps, is one of many reasons for his long life. Vernon and his wife were charter members of the Peach United Church of Christ in Spanish Lake, MO which began services in a small room above a convenience store in Spanish Lake, MO. He maintained his service to his church (later renamed Bethany Peace UCC) and its congregation through the rest of his days. Vernon can best be remembered for living (and directing) a long and fulfilling life selflessly dedicated to his wife, family, friends, his church and God. He worked hard and always knew the one right way to accomplish any goal….his way. And he did by himself what most people hire others to do. Through his example, he taught his children, grandchildren and many others in his life the importance of family, friendship, loyalty and a strong work ethic, that anything worth having is worth working for. Visitation Monday, December 14, from 10-11:30, with a brief service to follow at Buchholz Mortuary West, 2211 Clarkson Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017. To protect the people that Vernon and his family love, the visitation and service will be limited to family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be sent to the St. Louis children's charity of your choice.