Thelma Ditmyer

Thelma Ditmyer, born October 10, 1916 to George Pieper and Ida (Poppel) Kolb entered into eternal glory on July 18, 2013. She graduated from Fairfield High School in 1934 and enjoyed playing on her school's basketball team. On September 3, 1936 she married Ralph W. Ditmyer and they shared 41 years of life together.

In her early years as a homemaker, Thelma worked part time for Champion Paper and Ohio Casualty. An avid seamstress, she enjoyed sewing and often was found making clothes for she and Ralph and working on bandages and other clothing for mission projects. Later in life, she returned to work at Clyde Gabbard Realty and in 1986 retired as the Financial Business Manager for the First Baptist Church of Hamilton.

Thelma cherished her faith in God, loved her family and her church. The longest living member of First Baptist Hamilton, she and Ralph enjoyed teaching the "Live Wires" at the old Court Street Church and especially enjoyed relationships with The Homemakers and organized the formation of The Ruth Jackson Guild Girls. For many years she was active with American Baptist Missions serving as circle chairman and Mission Society President as well as serving as a Deaconess, and a Miami Association Trustee. Sharing her love of God was also seen through her dedicated teaching of the Daughters of Ruth Sunday School class. In addition to her many ministries, Thelma was a Golden Sheaf 50-year member of the Butler County and Fairfield Grange.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ralph, her daughter and son-in-law, Peggy (Bill) Chamberlain, sister Verna (Leisner) Swegert and brother Gordon Pieper. She is survived by her grandson, Roger Chamberlain; great grandsons Joshua (Erica) Chamberlain, Brian, and Darin Chamberlain as well as great-great granddaughter, Evelyn Chamberlain whom they all affectionately referred to her as Grandma Dee Dee. She also leaves a much loved granddaughter-in-law, Robin Minor whom she shared many Wednesday "lady" afternoons together. In addition, Thelma is survived by many nieces and nephews and a special niece, Cindy Winkler, whom she shared weekly telephone conversations.

Visitation will be held Sunday, July 21 from 2:00 - 3:30 PM at the First Baptist Church, 1501 Pyramid Hill Blvd (Rt. 128). A celebration of life service will be held at 3:30 PM officiated by Dr. Dennis M. Metzger and Reverend Jeremy Spence. Memorial gifts may be directed to the First Baptist Church Memorial Fund.

The family will accept condolences at www.avancefuneralhome.com

Visitation

Sunday July 21, 2013 from 2-3:30 p.m. at First Baptist of Hamilton

Service

3:30 p.m. at the church