Stanley Edward Ditch, 83, of Ely, passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, August 21, 2018.  Celebration of Life Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 24, 2018, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW, with Reverend Dr. Julie Schuett presiding.  Burial will be in Czech National Cemetery, where military rites will be conducted.  Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 23, 2018, at Brosh Chapel.

Stanley was born September 8, 1934, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Francis and Mary (Snobl) Ditch.  He graduated from Cedar Rapids McKinley High, and later attended Kirkwood College. Stan proudly served his Country in the United States Army.  Stan was united in marriage to Dorothy Polehna on November 19, 1960 in Cedar Rapids.  He farmed most of his life in the Cedar Rapids and Ely area.  Stan loved hunting, fishing, taking trips to Minnesota, playing cards, occasionally visiting the casino, and most of all spending time with his family.  He was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church near Ely, CSA Fraternal Life – serving as President of Lodge Prokop Velky, and Ely Town & Country.

Stan is survived by his wife of over 57 years, Dorothy; three children Mark (Sharon) Ditch of Watkins, Stacy (Jim) Kolthoff of Quasqueton and Jill (John) Dillon of Cedar Rapids; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; two brothers Delbert Ditch and Larry (Sharon) Ditch both of Cedar Rapids; two sisters-in-law Dolores Ditch and Pat Ditch; as well as his nieces and nephews.

Stan was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Leonard Ditch and Arnold Ditch, his sister Mary (Dave) Shakespeare, and sister-in-law Donna Ditch.

Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church near Ely or to Hospice of Mercy in his name.