Joan T. (Benz) Dietrich, age 93, of Quincy, formerly of Payson, IL, died on September 11, 2026, in Blessing Hospital. She was born on April 1, 1933 in Quincy the daughter George & Frances (Bockhold) Benz. She married Eugene Dietrich on May 2, 1953. He preceded her in death on December 9, 2002. Joan had previously worked at Motorola. She was a Bus Driver for Bus #6 in the Payson School system for over 30 years.

Joan was a long-time and active member of St. Anthony Catholic Church. She volunteered in the Food Pantry of the church, made baptismal stolls for over 35 years, served the funeral luncheons, and in 2018 was awarded the Ladies of Distinction Award from the Diocese of Springfield for her work at the church. Joan was always a very caring and giving person. She sent cards and cookies to countless family and friends over the years. Joan was an excellent cook and known for her dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls and egg noodles. She was a seamstress and made many dresses and other items for family and friends. She donated blood often over the years and reached the level of 23 gallons of blood donated. She also volunteered at the Payson Food Pantry. She was a member of the Home Extension, the Fan Club and the Merry Widows. Joan was an avid walker. She was also a gardener and was known for her gladiolas. At 55, she was proud to have learned how to snow ski. She also loved traveling and had the honor of meeting Pope Francis on a trip to Rome.

She is survived by:
HER CHILDREN: Dale Dietrich and his wife April, Diana Harpole and her husband Edwin, Linda Freeman and her husband Rick, and Donna Vogt and her husband Terry.
DAUGHTER IN LAW: Kathy Dietrich
GRANDCHILDREN: Tricia Dietrich and her husband Shawn Palmer; Ashley Schmuke and her fiancé Dustin Arnett, Ian Dietrich and his wife Dianna, Chris Freeman and his wife Kara, Kari Connelly and her husband Sean, Grant Freeman, Jenna Phillips and her husband James, Tyler Vogt, and Adam Vogt.
GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Beckett Schmuke, Dietrich Schmuke, Miles Dietrich, Theo Dietrich, Bascom Freeman, Rya Connelly, Jackson Phillips and Jagger Phillips, Marlina Vogt, Armina Vogt and Axel Vogt.
Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives also survive.

In addition to her husband, Joan was also preceded in death by a son Leo Dietrich, and siblings: Eleanor Ehrhardt, Bill Benz, Mary Ohnemus, Barbara Boone, Leo Benz, and Eddie Benz along with 3 additional siblings in infancy.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 9:15 AM at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home and a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Interment in St. Anthony Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026 from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Memorials may be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church or to the St. Anthony Cemetery Fund. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.