Rev. Robert L. Dill, 82

SMYRNA - Rev. Robert L. Dill, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, in Bayhealth Kent General Hospital. He was 82. He was born in Denton, Md., to the late Ralph and Florence Dill. Rev. Dill attended Denton High School. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, but was honorably discharged after 40+ days due to his failing eyesight. Not long after, he felt the call of the Lord, and together with his loving wife, completed a four year course to become ordained in 1969. In the interim, together they started the Lebanon Church in November of 1957, which is still thriving today. In 1966, with his wife by his side, Rev. Dill accepted a 10 month missionary assignment in Guam. After returning home in 1967, they accepted a 13 month tenure in the Holdens Chapel in Sudlersville. Once again, God called them back to Lebanon to be their full time pastor, which he did for a combined total of 31 years, until his retirement in December of 1988. Never one to sit idle, Rev. Dill filled in at various pulpits in the area, as needed, during his retirement. In his spare time, Rev. Dill enjoyed singing gospel music, listening to the Bible on tapes, and studying the Word of God. Blindness was never a hindrance for him, for the most part, he had the whole Bible memorized. He could quote scripture, word for word. His favorite personal quote was, "To have friends, be friendly yourself." His upbeat, loving, Christ-like nature, and his positive outlook on life will be greatly missed by all the numerous lives that he touched. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Rev. Paul M. Dill, and John Dill. Survivors include his loving wife of 63 years, Elva Irene Dill, of Smyrna; brothers, Donald Dill, and Joseph "Benny" Dill, both of Denton, Md.; sisters, Louise Hamfeldt, of Sussex, N.J., Rosalie Voshell, of Felton, Virginia Brady, of Dover, and Joyce Voshell, of Viola; and many nieces and nephews, who loved him dearly. Funeral Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008 at Melvin Funeral Home, 15522 S. DuPont Hwy., Harrington. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in Greensboro Cemetery, Greensboro, Md. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lebanon Wesleyan Church, 1138 Sorghum Mill Road, Dover, DE 19901. Arrangements are by the Melvin Funeral Home, Harrington.