Ernest Dietrich, 97, of Dundas, died Saturday July 27, 2002 at Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney.  Funeral services at Saron United Church of Christ near Dundas with Reverend Gordon Elliott officiating. Burial in Saron Church Cemetery.

Mr. Dietrich was born May 6, 1905 in Richland County, the son of Henry and Emma (Sterchi) Dietrich. He married Lulu M. VonAlmen on December 5, 1934. She preceded him in death on February 8, 1995.

He was a retired farmer and a member of Saron United Church of Christ. He was a member of Richland County Farm Bureau and Illinois Nut Tree Assoc. of Illinois. He was a conservationist and an avid gardener and enjoyed working with and grafting trees.

Mr. Dietrich is survived by three sons, Donald Dietrich, Larry Dietrich and his wife, Antoinette both of Olney and Dean Dietrich and his wife, Celia of Dundas; two daughters, Lois Dietrich of Dundas and Sylvia Bourne and her husband, Sam of Noble; a brother, Roy Dietrich of Fontana, Calif. and five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one brother and two granddaughters.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)