Henry Ditter Obituary

Henry J. Ditter PORTSMOUTH - Our beloved father, Henry J. Ditter, 90, passed away at home Dec. 16, 2010 after a long battle with dementia. A native of Pittsburgh, he lived in Portsmouth, for the past 55 years. He was married to the late Ruth Elizabeth Ditter, the most wonderful mother in the world, who passed Oct. 28, 1998. He was predeceased by an adored grandson, Don Whittington. He is survived by all five of his children, Mary Jo Ditter, Dorothy Call, Henry Jerold Ditter, Rebecca Fawcett, and David Ditter and his wife Rhonda; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. We want to thank Personal Touch and Visiting Physicians for their incredible help during the past 10 years. Special love and thanks go to Gary Whitaker who took such devoted care of Dad during the past year. A gathering to commemorate Dad's life will be held at 54 Gillis Road, Portsmouth, today, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com.

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Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Dec. 18, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Henry Ditter

7 Entries

Joyce & Doloris Johnston

January 15, 2011

Mary Jo, we just heard of your father's passing. Our sincere condolences to you and the rest of your family.

Jim & Donna Owens

January 8, 2011

We were so sorry to hear of Mr. Ditter's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

W. Kent Taylor

January 6, 2011

I was very sorry to hear of Mr. Ditter's passing ... not "Henry," but "Mr. Ditter." I remember him from my earliest years ... his pulling my sister's hair and her trying to pull his hair in return, short though it was ... his insistence that he was always, perpetually, 25-years old ... his "taking over" the television on his weekly trips to Richmond to watch the Watergate hearings when I wanted to watch "Lost In Space" ... his calling my Granny Owens "Miss Owens" ... his playing tennis against younger players, always playing very hard, and never giving up ... his laughter that was always so very, genuinely happy ... catching him on the papers we'd fill out for Bible Study with the admonition that I could never get an answer wrong if he started the question with the words "Do you think...." and being told by him to (basically) back up whatever my thoughts were and only THEN would or could I be correct ... his unswerving dedication to teaching the Bible and living what he taught. I don't think I ever thanked him for the many years of his weekly trips to Richmond and Colonial Heights in order to teach us ... I probably only showed him the annoyance of being disturbed in my juvenile pursuits. But, as he was always so very impish in his dealings with kids, I think he understood kids pretty well and forgave that. I last saw him a few years ago and was saddened to see what the failings of his body had done to a respected, intelligent man. I take solace from the fact that he is in a better place with Mrs. Ditter.

Janice Taylor

January 5, 2011

Henry and Ruth were some of our most favorite people in this world. Henry taught our kids the Bible when they were young. Bill so enjoyed the time he had the privilege of spending with him and gives Henry much of the credit for him finally obeying the gospel. Henry would drive up to our house in Colonial Heights from Portmouth evey Wednesday evening for years. He would eat supper with us and then we would study the Bible.
Kent, Kim and I drove to Portsmouth about 3 years ago and were saddened to witness what dementia can do to one.
Mary Jo, Dot, Jerry, Becky and David, we send our love . Your dad is now in Abraham's bosom awaiting the glorious judgement day.
Love, Bill and Janice Taylor

Terri Zenisek

December 30, 2010

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Henry was like a member of the family. We did not see it in the paper until after the visitation. We know he is in a better place now, with God. I know your mother was waiting for him. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
With love.
Terri and George

December 18, 2010

Mary Jo I ama sorry for your loss. Even whne yu expect it, you don't expect it.

Lost my mom 6 years ago on Wednesday and my dad 18 years ago at Thanksgiving.

Just enjoy the good times you had with him.

Jim Lott

Marty

December 18, 2010

Our good, so often discussed and debated, is really only to be united to God. We are told to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength. To achieve this, we are led by those who love us, as brother Ditter, that then we may lead those that we love.

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