James Rodgers Dillhoefer, 86, passed away Oct. 30, 2017.
He was the beloved husband of the late Ruthanne T. (nee McCarthy) Gilchrist (deceased); stepfather of Christopher (Saundra) Gilchrist, Maura Fekete, Anne (Gerard) Sombat, Jamie Gilchrist, Ruthellen (Robert) Gilchrist; son of the late Henry Mathias and Florence Rodgers Dillhoefer; beloved brother of the following deceased siblings and their spouses, Ann D. (Robert) Lyons, Regla D. (Michael) Nicoletti, Mary Jane D. (Myron) Wettrich, and William John; cherished grandfather of Julianne, Emma, Carlilyn, Jay, Danny, Tommy, Michael, Sagan Li, and Darwin; great-grandfather of Camden; and uncle of Eileen L. (Paul) Rodgers, Terence Lyons, Brenda A. (Kenn) Houry, Barbara Nicoletti, Michael (Toni) Nicoletti, Mark (Kerry) Nicoletti, James (Pam) Nicoletti, and the late Kevin Lyons.
Mr. Dillhoefer graduated from St. Ann’s School, St. Ignatius High School, John Carroll University, and continued his graduate studies at both John Carroll and Western Reserve University. He retired as CEO of Engineered Rubber Products in Akron, was V.P. of Zero D products in Willoughby, as was Sec. of Zepher Technology in Bath.
James was a member of the American Chemical Society, Akron Rubber Group, Northeast Ohio Rubber Group, a Board Member of the Cleveland Diocesan Council of St. Vincent de Paul Society, and had served as President of both the Cleveland District Council St. Vincent de Paul Society and St. Francis of Assisi Parish Conference of Saint Vincent de Paul Society. He was also a holder of several U.S. Patents, and publications, on various phases of rubber technology.
Family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017, at McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home, 38001 Euclid Ave., Willoughby. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 6850 Mayfield Road, Gates Mills. Burial will immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery, 10000 Miles Ave., Cleveland, OH 44105 (Sec. 91, Lot 3717, Grave 1).
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name are suggested to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 6610, Biddulph Road, Brooklyn, OH 44144 or the Ursuline Sister of Cleveland, 2600 Lander Road, Pepper Pike, OH 44124.
To leave condolences for the family or light a memorial candle, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.