John Merl McDill Memorial Fund
John Merl McDill
September 10, 1944 - September 23, 2026
John Merl McDill, 82, of Rio Vista, California, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2026, in Fairfield, California, following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
John was born September 10, 1944, in Casper, Wyoming, to John Jackson and Marjorie June (Gibbs) McDill. He graduated from Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, California in 1962 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Lewis & Clark College in 1967. While in college, he married Cheryl Rose Droege, whom he first met in Sunday School when they were 15. They were married September 16th, 1966, at First Presbyterian Church in Sunnyvale and shared 60 years of marriage.
John served his country in both the United States Marine Corps Reserve and the United States Army Reserve from 1966 to 1972, receiving honorable discharges from both. John's career took many paths, but each reflected his ability to see a need and figure out how to meet it. John began his career as a Boy Scout District Executive. He later founded the Nazarene School of Roseburg, Oregon, and served as its first principal (1975-76). The school still thrives today as Umpqua Valley Christian School, a legacy of which he was especially proud. A Nationally Registered Paramedic, John later served at Mercy Medical Center and developed, directed, and taught the Emergency Medical Technician program at Umpqua Community College. His later work included operating John McDill LLC as a handyman and contractor, and then later serving in facilities management and IT support at Valley Church in Cupertino, California. Whatever the job, John was known as hardworking, dependable, resourceful, and a man of integrity who could fix almost anything.
John was a man of deep but quiet Christian faith. He saw what needed to be done and did it, serving his family, church, and community without seeking recognition. He loved his family deeply and was a steady source of wisdom, practical help, encouragement, and support. He also enjoyed travel, photography, computers, Gonzaga basketball, and - much to his family's amusement - buying things online.
John is survived by his wife, Cheryl Rose (Droege) McDill; daughters Melissa Marjorie McDill Lingle and husband Joseph Alan Lingle, April Cormae McDill Steele and husband Craig Lumpkin, and Daniella Cathleen McDill Butler and husband Dustin Christopher Butler; grandchildren Robert Lingle and wife Dakota Brown Lingle, Sarah Lingle, Katherine Lingle Leonard and husband Sean Leonard, Carolynn Lingle, Sophie Steele, Sage Steele, Callie Butler, Johanna Butler, and Adeline Butler; and great-grandchildren Milo Lingle, Hadassah Leonard, and Josiah Leonard.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Umpqua Valley Christian School Scholarship Fund, honoring John's enduring commitment to Christian Education. Donations can be made online below, or by mailing a check to Umpqua Valley Christian School, 18585 Dixonville Rd, Roseburg, OR, 97470.