Marlin Eugene "Mike" Dietrich

Marlin Eugene "Mike" Dietrich, 77, of Catawissa, passed away peacefully after a short battle with myelodysplastic syndrome Tuesday at home surrounded by his loving family.

Born March 25, 1941, in Hegins, he was a son of the late George and Mary Maurer Dietrich.

He attended Tri-Valley Area High School and was in the farming and butcher trade. He operated his own butcher business in Schuylkill Haven from 1973-80, and one year in Danville. From 1981 to 1997 he was employed by Allen Clark Packing House in Paxinos. He worked odd jobs in Berwick and Danville until his retirement in February 2003. Mike was a member of St. John's (Kimmel's) Church and also a member of the Danville Moose Lodge, for over 20 years.

Mike was united in marriage to the former Helen Jean Fetterman on July 24, 1976, at St. Mark Lutheran Church by Pastor Zimmerman, of Elysburg, and enjoyed 42 years of marriage. He was a loving husband. They enjoyed many happy years with his children and grandchildren, eating out, and walking the malls, and traveling to Michigan and other states as well. Mike also enjoyed a cruise, trips to Atlantic City and casinos.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents; son, Daniel Foutz; two sisters, Betty Schwalm and Phyllis Dietrich; brother-in-law, Harold Clouser.

Mike is survived by his beloved wife, Helen; daughter, Virginia May (Foutz) Wisgo and her husband, Greg, Ranshaw; sister, Marjorie Ludwig and husband, Robert, and Ruby Clouser, all of Ashland; as well as brother, Clifford Deitrich and wife, Alice, Meriden, Conn.; brother-in-law, Eugene Schwalm, Baltimore, Md.; 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family wants to share their appreciation to the staff of Geisinger's Hematology/Oncology Department, the entire hospice team at Commonwealth Hospice of Berwick, and a very special appreciation to his nurse and granddaughter, Missy Fasold, and grandchildren, Bobby Thomas III and Tyler Jindra for maintaining his property and whatever needed done around the house while he was ill, and Ginny who got his room ready for him to come home to.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Allen R. Horne Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 193 McIntyre Road, Catawissa, with Hospice Chaplain Mike Delp officiating. Burial will follow at Elan Memorial Park. Viewing for family and friends will be from 10 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be sent to MDS Foundation, 3 International Drive, Suite 200, Rye Brook, NY 10573. Family and friends may send online condolences to allenrhornefuneralhome.com.

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