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Shirley Ann Dittman

5d09a40c416a2Shirley Ann Dittman, age 82, of Cropps Corners Road, Knox, passed from this life to eternal life with Jesus on Tuesday morning, June 18, 2019, at her home following a short battle with cancer.

Born November 8, 1936, in Turkey City, she was a daughter of the late Homer C. and Carrie A. Best Wetzel. She was the youngest of ten children.

On August 16, 1957, she married the love of her life, James “Jimmy” Dittman. He preceded her in death on January 1, 2012.

During their 54 years of marriage, Shirley was an important part of the Jimmy Dittman Square Dance Band, as a vocalist and Jimmy’s greatest supporter. Together they held many benefits for individuals and families with physical and financial needs.

Shirley had been a member of New Zion’s Singers and was also a volunteer member of Singers for Jesus at UPMC Northwest, ministering to patients for ten years, beginning in 1997.

Later, she enjoyed spending Monday evenings with friends at Kenny Blauser’s music garage singing gospel and country music.

Shirley loved her home that Jimmy had built for her and enjoyed taking care of it inside and out.

She was artistic and loved to sketch, paint, and color in her coloring books and greeting cards. She enjoyed sending her works of art in cards to friends and family.

In 2009, Shirley authored and published a children’s book, Cats on the Chimney.

She enjoyed attending regular and special services at various churches in the area. Most recently, she called The Church of God in Turkey City her church family.

Shirley was proud of her family of three daughters, Pat Yargar Decker and her husband, Lee, of Knox; Carol Cotherman and her husband, Tim, also of Knox and Faye Neely and her husband, Jim, of Kane; six grandchildren: Michael Yargar, Carrie Smith and her husband, Tim; Clint Yargar and his wife, Bobbi; Coti Schoedel and her husband, Rich; Tyler Cotherman and his wife, Natalie, and Jenean Neely.

Also surviving are eight great-grandchildren: Izabel and Izaiah Yargar, Serena and Adalyn Smith, Evelyn “Eve” Yargar, Jaxon and Roman Schoedel, and Cade Cotherman and Shirley’s two siblings, Judd Wetzel of New Castle and Betty Helsel of Parker.

Shirley was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Bob Yargar.

On October 20, 2013, Shirley married Thomas W. Kiehl, whom she met while attending VNA grief meetings. This expanded her family to include Debra Kahle, Bonda Reddinger, and Jodi Welsh.

Thomas preceded her in death on March 11, 2017.

Family and friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 20, 2019, at the William N. Rupert Mortuary, Inc., 430 Mendenhall Avenue, Knox.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 21, 2019, in the funeral home with Pastor Korona Say, pastor of The Church of God in Turkey City, officiating.

Interment will follow in the Monroe Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given in the name of Shirley Ann Dittman to Clarion/Forest VNA Hospice, 271 Perkins Road, Clarion, PA 16214 (www.cfvna.org/donations.asp) or The Church of God in Turkey City, 1078 Route 338, Turkey City, PA 16058.

Online condolences may be sent to Shirley’s family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com.

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