Eleanor Ditrick

Eleanor M. Ditrick, 79, of Kankakee, passed away Thursday, June 12, 2014 at Presence Heritage Village in Kankakee IL.

She was born September 24, 1934 in Louisville, KY to Carl and Laura (Helfer) Merklein. She received her Bachelor’s degree at Eastern Kentucky University. She was a school teacher in elementary education for 5 years and was Chaplain at Provena St. Mary’s Hospital for 21 years where she retired September 2005.

Rev. Ditrick was a member of Hospice of Kankakee Valley, Victim’s Assistance, Provena Homecare Board, Minerva Club, and Masters Blend Bible Study and served on numerous committees. Rev. Ditrick along with her husband was awarded the 1993 “Humanitarians of the Year” from St. Mary’s Hospital. She was also a long time member of Central Christian Church.

Eleanor is survived by her husband, Howard Ditrick, whom she married on September 27, 1957, and daughters Diane (Al Chess) Ditrick of Las Vegas, NV and Lori Ditrick- Hayes of Denver, CO. She is also survived by a sister, Helen M. (Dr. Robert) Grammer of Louisville, KY along with one niece and two nephews.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her longtime companion sheltie, Chap.

Visitation will be on Monday, June 16, 2014 at the Bourbonnais Chapel of the Schreffler Funeral Home from 12-7 p.m. and on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 from 5-6 p.m. with a 6:00 p.m. service at Central Christian Church.

Please make donations to Hospice of Kankakee Valley’s therapy dog training.

To view Eleanor’s life story, leave a memory or archive a photo, please go to schrefflerfuneralhomes.com.