Isaac S. Diller's Obituary
Isaac S. Diller, 18, of Upland, passed away on Saturday, May 16th.
With painful sadness, we share the passing of Isaac Scott Diller, whose playful spirit and compassionate heart radiated light to all who knew him.
Surrounded by his family, Isaac, 18, passed away at Lutheran Hospital on Saturday, May 16th at 9:31pm, after suffering a sudden medical emergency at his home in Upland on Monday, May 11, 2026. Before he died, he was visited by many friends and family.
Isaac was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland on October 26th 2007. He is the youngest son of Gwenael and Kevin Diller, and the beloved brother of Sophia, Naomi, and Andrew. When Isaac was 8 months old, he came with his family from Scotland to Granger, Indiana. A year later, in August of 2009, the family moved to Upland, where Isaac would grow up, make many dear friends, and eventually attend Eastbrook schools.
Isaac loved playing almost any kind of game, and he often invented games on the spot with friends or classmates. He would happily join whatever sport was being played, even participating in Scottish field hockey during his fourth-grade year. Along with baseball, basketball, volleyball, and golf, Isaac’s main sport was soccer. He developed into a first-team center back and was named Eastbrook High School’s 2025 Defensive Player of the Year. He also enjoyed club soccer, playing with Indy Fire and Central Indiana Football Club.
Isaac seemed to come alive in the water. He could spend hours swimming, even in cooler temperatures, and playing on beaches in Scotland, Michigan, Florida, and, most recently, Costa Rica over spring break. The beach that held the most years and memories for him, both as a child and later as a lifeguard, was the beach at Taylor Lake on the campus of Taylor University.
Throughout his life, Isaac was shaped by church communities and camping experiences. He moved from the nursery programs at Holy Trinity Church in St Andrews, Scotland, and South Bend CRC, to the children’s programs at Upland Community Church, and later to College Wesleyan Church. He also participated in the Upland Pierce Church youth group and a Thursday morning Bible study. In the summers, he was an active participant in Indiana Camps Farthest Out family camp and enjoyed many youth retreats at Miracle Camp in Lawton, Michigan.
Isaac was rarely happier than when he was sharing life with others. Growing up in Upland, he spent countless hours playing indoors and outdoors with friends. Even video games were, for him, best enjoyed as team games with people he loved. And when he wasn’t surrounded by friends, pets and other animals seemed naturally drawn to his tender care and vivacious energy—especially, in this last year, his young cat Mochi.
He enjoyed games, movies, and shows with his sisters, brother, and parents. And he liked spending time on holidays and vacations with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. His kindness to others and care for those who needed encouragement meant that he was beloved by many. As the news of his passing spread, the Diller family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of notes, cards, support, and prayers from those who knew Isaac, especially in the Upland and Eastbrook communities.
Isaac is fiercely loved by his family and friends, who are deeply grieving his loss from their lives and the bright future that lay before him. He was planning to graduate from Eastbrook High School on May 31st and had been accepted into the class of 2030 starting at Taylor University in the fall.
Isaac was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Claude Le Gall, and Harlan Diller. He is survived by his loving parents, Gwenael and Kevin; his siblings, Sophia, Naomi, and Andrew; his grandmothers, Madeleine Diller and Mary Anne Le Gall; his aunts and uncles, Jenny Knarr, Marcia and Brian Motter, Genevieve and Matt Fortner, Jeff Le Gall, and Anne and Elijah Ferbrache; his cousins, CJ Knarr and Rachel and Cam Wild; Paul, Marc, and Abby Motter; Noah, Jacq, Owen, and Hank Fortner; Elisha, Junia, Annaelle, and Edward Ferbrache; and many dear friends, classmates, and loved ones. He will be greatly missed for the rest of their lives.
On Thursday, May 21st at 11am, a memorial service for Isaac was held at College Wesleyan Church. Attendance exceeded seating capacity and many remained for a reception after the service to share their love and memories of Isaac. A recording of the service can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9nMwiS_26A
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Isaac’s name to Indiana Camps Farthest Out through this link: Indiana CFO: in memory of Isaac Diller. https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/54LFZ8HK6THA2
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