Della M. Sutherland Diller
May 15, 1931 - January 8, 2020

Della Mae Diller, 88, of Upland, died on Wednesday, January 8, 2020.

Mrs. Diller was born on May 15, 1931 in Akron, Ohio, the youngest of four children born to Charles and Aedest Stroup.

Della made the decision to follow Christ in Akron, Ohio at Brown Street Christian Missionary Alliance Church when she was 7 years old. The faith she chose as a child was her constant source of joy and strength throughout her life.

She attended elementary and high school in Akron, Ohio and graduated in 1949.

Della married Robert Sutherland on September 2, 1950. They lived in Akron for 6 years and together raised three sons: Robert, Steven, and Ronald; and a daughter: Gail (Salvatori). In 1963, the family moved to Kettering, Ohio and in 1966, they moved to the Chicago area. In 1989, Bob and Della moved to Florida to retire. In 2006, Della and her husband Bob moved to Upland and she cared for him until he preceded her to glory in 2008.

Della married Tim Diller on December 31, 2011 and they travelled the world and ministered together in the local community and at Taylor University in powerful and meaningful ways.

Mrs. Diller was an incredibly hard-working servant who was always willing to learn and take on new challenges. Her first career started in the late 1960s and included a short stint as Dunkin Donuts. The next opportunity involved her entrepreneurial spirit, when she started a cleaning company; involving her children in that work. One company she served with her cleaning service, Sanford Ink, saw potential in her and hired her to be their credit and collection manager. She later worked for the American Heart Association. In retirement, Della managed a boutique named Something Else in Boca Grande, Florida. After moving to Upland, Della was employed at Taylor University as a part time secretary and Supervisor of Laundry services for all sports up until 2018. Throughout her retirement, she also taught piano, aninstrument she learned to play by ear and served over 50 students in her time in Upland.

Her ministries in the local church and community over they years include teaching Sunday School, singing in church choirs, singing solos and duets, serving the Lift program in Upland and befriending and mentoring young women.

Della experienced great joy by traveling the world, listening to her students perform in recitals, enjoying concerts and musical events, gardening and keeping her home in a beautiful manner and in spotless order.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Tim Diller, Upland; a daughter: Gail Salvatori, Glen Ellyn, Illinois; two sons: Steve (Elizabeth) Sutherland, Palatine, Illinois; and Ron (Judy) Sutherland, Upland; 10 grandchildren: Lisa Ramirez, Jana Salvatori, Katie Hernandez, Rebecca Harris, Joshua Sutherland, Jesse Sutherland, Tim Sutherland, Megan Biehl, Andrew Sutherland, and Hannah Sutherland; and 28 great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and first husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Helen, Anne, and Chuck; and a son: Robert Sutherland, Jr

Della has now experienced the perfection of her faith and is missed by her family and friends until they see her again. To God be the glory for the gift of this precious life.

Visitation will be held from 1-3 pm and 6-8 pm on Friday, January 24, 2020 at Upland Community Church, 439 W. Berry Ave., Upland. A celebration of life service will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, January 25, 2020 with an hour of visitation prior to the service, also at the church, with Pastor Mark Biehl officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Dellas family requests that memorial contributions be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators P.O Box 628200, Orlando, Florida, 32862.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Jones-Smith Chapel of Armes-Hunt Funeral Home Cremation Services, 259 N. Main St., Upland.

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