Dorothy Ditzler, 97, of Pearl City, IL went to be with her Lord, with her children by her side, on Sunday November 5, 2023.  Dorothy was born on June 27, 1926 to T. Arthur and Amy (Buss) Ellis in Winslow, IL.  She graduated from Winslow High School, she then attended the Nursing Cadet Corps Training through St. Francis Hospital in Freeport, where she met her husband Theron E. Ditzler.  Theron and Dorothy were united in marriage on July 2, 1949 at her parents' farm.

Dorothy worked for St. Francis Hospital in Freeport as a surgical nurse, emergency room nurse, and a hospice nurse.  She then worked as a private nurse, a school nurse, and retired from nursing from Honeywell.  Dorothy also worked as a nurse at home, mending many of her husbands "accidents."

Dorothy enjoyed playing cards, especially euchre with her children, grandchildren, and friends.  She even beat them, right up until she passed.   Jigsaw puzzles, word searches, and reading kept Dorothy occupied.  Dorothy loved to travel.  They traveled to all 50 states.  Theron and Dorothy spent 50 years taking camping and fishing trips to Canada, they also took each of their grandchildren.  She was a six-time cancer survivor.  She loved bright colored flowers, especially her daffodils.  Right out of her window, she enjoyed watching the deer, squirrels, and other animals, and also loved looking at the woods surrounding her home.  She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, and the Legion Auxillary Post 1014 in Pearl City.

Dorothy is survived by her children; Bob (Cindy) Ditzler of Pearl City, JoAnn (Rick) Blackmore of Apple Canyon Lake, and Kim (Pat) Boyle of Pearl City, grandchildren; Stacy (Eric) Gustafson, Adam (Heidi) Ditzler, Becky (Ryan) Guentner, Wendy (Shawn) Bean, Derek (Nicole) Blackmore, Bradlee Blackmore, Heather Blackmore, Cliff (Melissa) Calderon, Tory (Josh Stewart) Calderon, and Angie Boyle, greatgrandchildren; Emma, Boden, Shy, Laney, Charlee, Olivia, Jack, Payton, Kayla, Ben, Alice, Amelia, Maddox, Jace, Hayden, Tanner, Korrie, Jenna, Kayden, Patience, Rickie, Chayse, and Bella, and one great-great granddaughter Naylani,  as well as, numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Theron, brother Merwyn Ellis, sister Corabelle Reuber, and grandson Troy Boyle and daughter-in-law Darla Ditzler.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 13, 2023 at the St. John Lutheran Church in Pearl City, IL.

A visitation will be from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Monday, November 13, 2023 at the church.

Pastor Karen Tews will officiate the services.

Private family burial will take place at a later date.

Dorothy was very proud of her decision to donate her body to science to further medical research.

The family wishes to thank all of the friends and neighbors for all the help and love shown to Dorothy and Theron over the years, it has been heartfelt and appreciated.

A memorial has been established in her memory.