Edwin Louis Dietsch

Edwin "Ed" Louis Dietsch of Florence passed away on November 15th in Havana. Ed was surrounded by loved ones and preceded in death by his wife, Sally, a month prior. The couple had spent 65 years together upon their passing.

Ed was a lifelong handyman and physical worker. At 17, Ed left his home in Keokuk, IA to join the Navy in Long Beach, California. While in the Navy, Ed met and married his wife, Sally, and traveled as far as Japan and Hawaii. The couple returned to Keokuk in 1960 where they raised their children before moving to Bath, IL in 1975. During this time, Ed worked as a union construction electrician.

In December of 1982, Sally, Ed and another couple purchased the restaurant and tavern that would become Ed & Woodies Tap in Florence. While Sally was in charge of the bar and restaurant, Ed was responsible for the maintenance and groundskeeping as well as battling the almost yearly flood from the Illinois River. Everywhere he went, Ed was always accompanied by one of his four grandsons or one of the many dogs the family raised over the years. When he wasn't on duty, Ed could be found on weekend shopping trips with his daughter, fishing with his grandkids, or sipping a beer while Sally held court at the bar.

Surviving is children, Scott (Lisa) Dietsch of Havana and Lorena(William) Sleeman of Bluffs; siblings, Eleanor (Larry) Limkenman of Quincy, Barb Toops of Keokuk, IA, Sandra (Pat) Tulley of Wataga and Fred (Sue) Dietsch of MS; grandchildren, Ryan (Megan) and Patrick Dietsch both of Havana, Jasper Sleeman of Los Angeles, CA, Brady (Summer) Dietsch of Havana; great grandchildren, PJ and Mason Dietsch both of Havana.

Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Sally Dietsch, brother Marvin (and wife Marty) Dietsch of Oregon and brother-in-law William Toops of Keokuk, IA.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Daws Family Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of arrangements.