Harold Earl Ditsch

Harold Ditsch, residing in South Bend, Indiana passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 31, 2023 at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka at the age of 79. He was born on July 29, 1943 in South Bend, to the late Harold E. and Betty J. (Ritchey) Ditsch.

On September 8, 1962, Harold married Nancy Cutler, who preceded him in death in 2021. He is survived by their three children, Debbie Demerse of Plant City, Florida, Melinda (Joel Anteau) Sommers of Mishawaka, and Annette Ditsch of South Bend. He also leaves behind his sister, Kathryn (William) Fick of Carmel, IN., brothers, Dennis (Patricia) Ditsch of Osceola and Douglas (Nina) Ditsch of Niles.

Harold retired from the University of Notre Dame in Building Services, where he worked for 30 years. He also retired from the South Bend Tribune where he was a dock coordinator.

Harold loved being on the go. He enjoyed Sprint car and Nascar races, loved listening to music from the 50’s and 60’s and reading the newspaper first thing every morning. He loved discussing current events with family and friends while chatting on the phone. He always watched the news for three hours in the evening if he was home. Harold also enjoyed family reunions, family cookouts and holiday get-togethers. He was very organized in planning an event. He liked to go out to eat and travel. He traveled with his wife and children many places over the years in their camper. Later he traveled only with his wife and their favorite places to travel to were Nashville TN and Virginia Beach, VA where Nancy’s family lived. They also met her family in Pigeon Forge, TN or Lancaster, PA every summer. Harold was a very nice man and was always ready to lend a helping hand or offer advice. He enjoyed playing jokes on coworkers and others as he had a unique sense of humor. Harold was a very knowledgeable person and knew how to do many things from remodeling a house, building a garage to working on cars. There wasn’t much he didn’t know how to do! He was always there for his family when they needed him or there for a neighbor that had a question. Many times, his family would have to look around for him outside and if they couldn’t find him in the garage or yard, they knew he must be on his riding mower talking to a neighbor somewhere! Harold also enjoyed listening to the Rivera’s when they had a show in the area. He set up their band equipment for many years and planned many New Years Eve dances for The Rivera’s. Harold liked to ride around late at night with his wife to see what was happening in the area and where the police were going. Harold also loved German Shepherds and had seven of them during his married life.

Harold was a wonderful husband and a devoted father and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He knew many people and had a lot of friends.

There will be no services at this time, per the family. Palmer Funeral Homes-River Park and Southlawn Cremation Services are assisting the family with arrangements.

Donations in honor of Harold Ditsch can be made out to Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Pl, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

Online condolences may be sent to the Ditsch family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.