Gerald "Jud" B Ditz

Gerald B. “Jud” Ditz, a native of Fryburg, passed away on May 30, 2016, at ForestView Health Care Center in Erie. He was born in the Washington House, Fryburg, PA, on February 7, 1920, the son of Aloysius and Emma Schmader Ditz.

Jud was a 1938 graduate of Shippenville High School. He was a veteran of World War II. From 1943 – 1946, he served in Guadalcanal, New Guinea, and the Philippines. Post WWII, he became a life-long dairy farmer, in partnership with his brother, Mex, on property originally settled by his ancestors in 1826. In his younger days, Jud was a good basketball and baseball player and sang in a barber shop quartet. Jud was always interested in others. After the war, Jud, a former medic, gave frequent injections to the sick in Fryburg. He was a volunteer for St. Michael Church, with many years of service at the Labor Day Picnic and in the choir. He also served as a lector.

Jud served for decades on the board of directors of Farmer’s Mutual Insurance Company and was a founding member of the Fryburg Sportsman’s Club. Along with Mex, he collected Native American artifacts and showed them at many area schools. He was an avid trout fisherman, reader, pinochle/euchre player, and Pirates and Steelers fan.

He was married to the late Mildred Murray Ditz in 1952. He was also preceded in death by his siblings Paul Ditz, Mary Rose Ditz, Agnes McCloskey, Robert “Mex” Ditz, and Frances Ochs.

He is survived by his children, Margaret (Michael) Hagerty of Pittsburgh, Mary Kay (David) Kalivoda of Erie, and David (Linda) Ditz of Fairview, his grandchildren, Katie (Brian) Misiura, Sarah Hagerty, Kevin (Danielle) Kalivoda, Diane (Rick) Havrilla, and Julie Ditz, his great-grandsons, Darren and Shane Misiura, his sisters, Ruth Jeannerat and Joan (Robert) Donahue, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express its most sincere gratitude for the wonderful care Jud received from the entire staff of the Woodlands at ForestView and to the caregivers who took care of him at home.

Friends may call at the Saint Michael Church, Fryburg, PA, on Friday, June 10, at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of the Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph School, Lucinda, PA 16235, or to a charity of one’s choice.

The Faller Funeral Home, Fryburg, PA, is handling the arrangements. Please visit www.fallerfuneralhome.com to share your memories and photos and offer your condolences. 

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