Dr. John Dillon, D.D.S., 67, passed into eternal life surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday morning, August 13, 2025 at their  Farmington home.

John was born May 22, 1958 in Detroit, MI to the late Judge John and Janet Dillon. He was dearly loved and admired for his goodness, kindness and generosity. Janet Dillon is often told she raised a saint. "He was an excellent Catholic and had a very big heart," she said.  "If anyone needed money or help, he was right there for them. John suffered with cancer for 28 years yet never complained.  He loved a good story and could tell great jokes."

Son Jack Dillon said, "I greatly admired my dad's ability to endure hardship. Throughout my life, he faced life-threatening health challenges time and again, yet he persevered—driven by his love for family and friends and his desire to spend more time with us. God put my dad to the test, and my dad carried his cross with grace, strength, and humility. Even in the midst of suffering, he had the gift of filling a room with deep belly laughs for an entire evening. Life without him will be so hard to adjust to, but we take comfort knowing that he is finally at peace."

Sister Maureen Dillon Egan said, "The things I admired most about John were his sense of humor, his amazing outdoor Christmas light display (including 'Frosty' in the upstairs window), and his gratitude to God for miracles along the way."

John fell in love with golf early on. During middle- and high school, he caddied at Western Golf & Country Club. "He was honored one year for being number-one caddy, meaning he had the most rounds which was a big deal," said brother Andy Dillon. "He was a scratch golfer and always in the hunt for the club championship at Radrick Farms Golf Club in Ann Arbor."

A 1977 graduate of Detroit Catholic Central High School, John was a Gabriel Richard scholar and managed CC's state championship basketball team his junior year.  He graduated from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1985 and practiced in Dearborn until illness hastened his retirement.

John married the love of his life, Catherine Dinan, on August 26, 1989 at historic Sainte Anne Catholic Church on Mackinac Island. They were blessed with four children – Jack, Evan, Cynthia Jean "CJ", and Mary Catherine "Katie" – all of whom helped Cathy tenderly care for John, meeting his every need in the final weeks.

In addition to his mother, wife, children, brother and sister, John is survived by daughters-in-law Morgan and Nicolette, grandchildren Liam and Emilia, sister Marybeth (Patrick) Butler, sister-in-law Lara Dillon, brother-in-law Jeff Egan, sister-in-law Denny Dinan-Panico and brother-in-law Tom Panico,  and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may gather for visitation at the Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home in downtown Farmington on Sunday, August 17, from 2-8 pm.  The rosary will be prayed at 7:00pm.

John's funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday morning, August 18, at 10:00 am (in state 9:30 am) at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 23615 Power Road, Farmington.

Memorial tributes are kindly suggested to the Pope Francis Center , Detroit, Detroit Cristo Rey High School , or CARES of Farmington Hills .