Neel S. Ditcher

Neel Stanley Ditcher, 84, of Great Valley, NY died Sunday, January 21, 2018 at home following a long illness.

Born August 28, 1933 in Machias, NY, he was the son of the late LaVern and Blanche Neel Ditcher. He was married on June 18, 1955 in Great Valley to the former Betty Jane Lounsbury, and lived in Great Valley for over 60 years.

He grew up and attended school in Hornell. After graduating from Hornell High School in 1951, he joined the United States Army and served during the Korean War, where he was a Private First Class. Most of his active duty was stationed on a ship transporting equipment to Greenland. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

He was employed for many years at the former Fancher Furniture Company in Salamanca until 1972. He was then hired as the Supervisor for Grounds and Maintenance at the Ellicottville BOCES Center. He worked evenings teaching cabinet making through the Adult Education at Ellicottville BOCES. He was a very experienced cabinetmaker. He was employed through BOCES for over 30 years, retiring in 2000. Once he retired, he became very good with computers. He enjoyed reading and his greatest enjoyment was camping and traveling with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He enjoyed splitting wood and beating his grandson in chess.

He was a member of the Holy Name of Mary Church, Ellicottville, NY, Great Valley Senior Group, Salamanca Library, and had been an active member of the former Square Circle Club.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty Jane (Lounsbury) Ditcher; his daughters, Jean (Brian) Davis, Great Valley, NY, Susan (Rich) Mertowski, Springville, NY; three sons, Frank (Rosie Harrington) Ditcher, Thomas Ditcher, both of Great Valley, NY, Brian Ditcher, Buffalo, NY; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a brother, Joseph (Linda) Ditcher, OH; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two sons, James Ditcher and Kris Ditcher, and a sister, Beverly Sue (Floyd) Beeles.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 from 7 – 9 p.m. and on Thursday from 10 – 11 a.m., at which time funeral and committal services will be held with Rev. Gregory Dobson, St. Mary of the Angels Church, officiating.

Burial will be in Green Cemetery, Great Valley, NY in the springtime with full military honors conducted by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post #535 and the Veteran of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post #5296.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to HomeCare & Hospice, 211 Erie Street, Little Valley, NY 14755.

E-condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.