THERON E. DITZLER, 93 PEARL CITY - Theron E. Ditzler, 93, of Pearl City, IL, died Saturday, April 12, 2014, at Freeport Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was born on September 25, 1920, near Loran, IL, the son of Perry and Marie (Bareis) Ditzler. He married Dorothy Ellis on July 2, 1949, at her family farm west of Winslow. Theron graduated from Pearl City High School and was self-employed in the plumbing and heating business most of his life. He loved his wood working projects, creating many gifts for all of his family and friends, mostly grandchildren and great grandchildren. Theron was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and a charter member of the American Legion Post 1014 in Pearl City. He served in the United States Army for over three years during World War II, the last part in France and Germany with the 113th Armored Division. Theron was an avid card player and loved to take fishing trips with friends and family. Theron and Dorothy enjoyed travelling to every state, camping along the way, and drove to every one except Hawaii. Theron is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his children, Bob (Cindy) Ditzler, JoAnn (Rick) Blackmore, and Kim (Pat) Boyle; his grandchildren, Stacy (Eric) Gustafson, Derek (Nicole) Blackmore, Bradlee (Dana) Blackmore, Adam (Heidi) Ditzler, Cliff (Melissa) Calderon, Heather Blackmore, Tory Calderon, and Troy Boyle and Angela Boyle (Pat's children), Becky (Ryan) Guentner and Wendy (Shawn) Bean (Cindy's children); 19 great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way; sister-in-law, Norma Ditzler; and brother-in-law, Clifford "Tip" Reuber. He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Eunice (LeRoy) Daniels, Robert Daniel Ditzler who drowned in Plum River a month before Theron's birth, Carol and her husbands, Edwin Bremer, Ernie Tompkins, and Jerry Ditzler; his daughter-in-law, Darla Ditzler; Dorothy's sister, Corabelle Reuber; and brother and sister-in-law, Merwyn and Evelyn Ellis. Services were held Tuesday, April 15, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Pearl City. A memorial fund has been set-up for the Pearl City Food Pantry.