Robert F. “Bob” Dittmer, age 88, of the Sunset Home, formerly of 1409 Spring, died on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 in Blessing Hospital. Robert was born November 28, 1922 in Quincy, the son of Henry and Frances (Coens) Dittmer. He married Dorothy Linneman on May 16, 1946. She preceded him in death on April 15, 1982.

Robert was a machine operator at Electric Wheel division of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company for 41 years before retiring in 1982. He was a member of United Auto Workers.

He was a sergeant in World War II, serving as an infantry squad leader with the 30th Infantry Division seeing action during the Battle of the Bulge, in the Ardennes, the Rhineland, and Central Europe.

Robert was a member of St. Francis Church and the Holy Name Society. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and Mart Heinen Club.

Survivors include
SIX CHILDREN: Robert Dittmer and his wife Marlene of Quincy, Ann Soebbing and her husband Gene of Quincy, Barbara Irvin of Louisville, KY, Elizabeth Klues and her husband Jack of Arlington Heights, IL, Jane Smith of Quincy and Mary Jo Sheehan and her husband Tim of Springfield, IL.
FIFTEEN GRANDCHILDREN: Samantha Nolting and her husband Don of Nashville, TN; Kristin Soebbing, Daniel Soebbing and his wife Jeanette, all of Quincy; Captain Jared Hutter, USAF of Oklahoma City, OK; Aaron Irvin of Louisville, KY; Jordan Klues and his wife Renee of Chicago, IL; Corinn Klues of Scottsdale, AZ; Lindsey Wagner and her husband Dennis of Quincy; Matthew Smith of Chicago, IL; Kelly, A.J. and Casey Sheehan of Springfield, IL; Julie, Scott and Ryan Hutmacher of Chicago, IL.
THREE GREAT GRANDCHILDREN: Alyvia, Haylee and Emily Wagner.
Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Bernard H. Dittmer; a sister, Rita Pausch; and a brother in infancy, Milton Dittmer.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 3, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home with a funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. in St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church. Interment in Calvary Cemetery with military rites conducted at the cemetery by American Legion Post #37 and the Illinois National Guard Military Honors Detail Visitation will be held on Sunday evening from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. with a Knights of Columbus service at 6:00. Memorials may be made to St. Francis Catholic Church, Quincy University or the Knight of Columbus TV Mass for the Shut-Ins.

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