Alva Alfred Ditch, 98, of Fairbanks, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, with family by his side. Alva was born Sept. 18, 1918, in Moweaqua, Illinois. Alva married his sweetheart, Icle May Street, on Jan. 14, 1939. They were married 58 wonderful years before Icle was "called home" in 1997. They were blessed with a beautiful bouncing baby girl, Cynthia Carol Ditch.
He helped build the Alaska Highway in the early 1940s and always dreamed of returning to Alaska one day. He was drafted into the Army during World War II and was stationed in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
In May 1952, Alva and the two loves of his life, his wife, Icle, and their daughter, Cynthia, arrived in Fairbanks.
Alva has been an active member of Carpenter's and Millwrights Local 1243 for 75 years. He supervised many construction projects throughout Alaska. He built and designed three homes for himself and his family, and remodeled many others.
Alva loved restoring antique cars, specifically Willy's Jeeps and Cadillacs. He enjoyed building things big and small. He had a keen eye and would correct you when you were wrong.
He was known for his big heart and for lending a helping hand. He loved to share stories about his past with his family and close friends.
He was a member of Pioneers of Alaska Igloo No. 4, American Legion, Vernon Nash Antique Auto Club, Elks Lodge in Fairbanks and Masonic organizations.
Alva is survived by his loving daughter, Cynthia Coty; twin grandson, Joseph Coty Jr. (Josie); great-grandson, Bryan Coty, of Fairbanks; granddaughter, Deborah Bulmer (Christian); great-granddaughter, Kaytlin Smith; and stepgreat-grandchildren, Kirsten, Cherish, Andrew and Wyatt Bulmer, of Tennessee; granddaughter, Julie Coty; great-granddaughters, Ashley Pope and Madisyn Presley, of Fairbanks; great-grandson, Sam Presley, of Florida; sister, Beulah Bander, of California; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
He is preceded in death by his lovely bride, Icle Ditch; his parents, Walter and Nellie Ditch; brothers, Everett Ditch, Shelby Ditch, Delbert Ditch and Paul Ditch; sisters, Freda Jordan and Wilma Goss; son-in-law, Joseph Coty Sr.; and his infant twin grandson.
We will miss you, Dad.
Viewing will be held from noon-1pm with the funeral service at 1pm Saturday, Jan. 21, at Shannon Park Baptist Church, 409 Lazelle Rd, in Fairbanks. A potluck will be after the service at the church. He will be laid to rest at Northern Lights Memorial Park in the spring.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to your favorite charity in Alva Ditch's name. Published in Daily News-Miner on Jan. 20, 2017.
He helped build the Alaska Highway in the early 1940s and always dreamed of returning to Alaska one day. He was drafted into the Army during World War II and was stationed in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
In May 1952, Alva and the two loves of his life, his wife, Icle, and their daughter, Cynthia, arrived in Fairbanks.
Alva has been an active member of Carpenter's and Millwrights Local 1243 for 75 years. He supervised many construction projects throughout Alaska. He built and designed three homes for himself and his family, and remodeled many others.
Alva loved restoring antique cars, specifically Willy's Jeeps and Cadillacs. He enjoyed building things big and small. He had a keen eye and would correct you when you were wrong.
He was known for his big heart and for lending a helping hand. He loved to share stories about his past with his family and close friends.
He was a member of Pioneers of Alaska Igloo No. 4, American Legion, Vernon Nash Antique Auto Club, Elks Lodge in Fairbanks and Masonic organizations.
Alva is survived by his loving daughter, Cynthia Coty; twin grandson, Joseph Coty Jr. (Josie); great-grandson, Bryan Coty, of Fairbanks; granddaughter, Deborah Bulmer (Christian); great-granddaughter, Kaytlin Smith; and stepgreat-grandchildren, Kirsten, Cherish, Andrew and Wyatt Bulmer, of Tennessee; granddaughter, Julie Coty; great-granddaughters, Ashley Pope and Madisyn Presley, of Fairbanks; great-grandson, Sam Presley, of Florida; sister, Beulah Bander, of California; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
He is preceded in death by his lovely bride, Icle Ditch; his parents, Walter and Nellie Ditch; brothers, Everett Ditch, Shelby Ditch, Delbert Ditch and Paul Ditch; sisters, Freda Jordan and Wilma Goss; son-in-law, Joseph Coty Sr.; and his infant twin grandson.
We will miss you, Dad.
Viewing will be held from noon-1pm with the funeral service at 1pm Saturday, Jan. 21, at Shannon Park Baptist Church, 409 Lazelle Rd, in Fairbanks. A potluck will be after the service at the church. He will be laid to rest at Northern Lights Memorial Park in the spring.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to your favorite charity in Alva Ditch's name. Published in Daily News-Miner on Jan. 20, 2017.
Alva Alfred Ditch, 98, of Fairbanks, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, with family by his side. Alva was born Sept. 18, 1918, in Moweaqua, Illinois. Alva married his sweetheart, Icle May Street, on Jan. 14, 1939. They were married 58 wonderful years before Icle was "called home" in 1997. They were blessed with a beautiful bouncing baby girl, Cynthia Carol Ditch.
He helped build the Alaska Highway in the early 1940s and always dreamed of returning to Alaska one day. He was drafted into the Army during World War II and was stationed in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
In May 1952, Alva and the two loves of his life, his wife, Icle, and their daughter, Cynthia, arrived in Fairbanks.
Alva has been an active member of Carpenter's and Millwrights Local 1243 for 75 years. He supervised many construction projects throughout Alaska. He built and designed three homes for himself and his family, and remodeled many others.
Alva loved restoring antique cars, specifically Willy's Jeeps and Cadillacs. He enjoyed building things big and small. He had a keen eye and would correct you when you were wrong.
He was known for his big heart and for lending a helping hand. He loved to share stories about his past with his family and close friends.
He was a member of Pioneers of Alaska Igloo No. 4, American Legion, Vernon Nash Antique Auto Club, Elks Lodge in Fairbanks and Masonic organizations.
Alva is survived by his loving daughter, Cynthia Coty; twin grandson, Joseph Coty Jr. (Josie); great-grandson, Bryan Coty, of Fairbanks; granddaughter, Deborah Bulmer (Christian); great-granddaughter, Kaytlin Smith; and stepgreat-grandchildren, Kirsten, Cherish, Andrew and Wyatt Bulmer, of Tennessee; granddaughter, Julie Coty; great-granddaughters, Ashley Pope and Madisyn Presley, of Fairbanks; great-grandson, Sam Presley, of Florida; sister, Beulah Bander, of California; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
He is preceded in death by his lovely bride, Icle Ditch; his parents, Walter and Nellie Ditch; brothers, Everett Ditch, Shelby Ditch, Delbert Ditch and Paul Ditch; sisters, Freda Jordan and Wilma Goss; son-in-law, Joseph Coty Sr.; and his infant twin grandson.
We will miss you, Dad.
Viewing will be held from noon-1pm with the funeral service at 1pm Saturday, Jan. 21, at Shannon Park Baptist Church, 409 Lazelle Rd, in Fairbanks. A potluck will be after the service at the church. He will be laid to rest at Northern Lights Memorial Park in the spring.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to your favorite charity in Alva Ditch's name. Published in Daily News-Miner on Jan. 20, 2017.
He helped build the Alaska Highway in the early 1940s and always dreamed of returning to Alaska one day. He was drafted into the Army during World War II and was stationed in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
In May 1952, Alva and the two loves of his life, his wife, Icle, and their daughter, Cynthia, arrived in Fairbanks.
Alva has been an active member of Carpenter's and Millwrights Local 1243 for 75 years. He supervised many construction projects throughout Alaska. He built and designed three homes for himself and his family, and remodeled many others.
Alva loved restoring antique cars, specifically Willy's Jeeps and Cadillacs. He enjoyed building things big and small. He had a keen eye and would correct you when you were wrong.
He was known for his big heart and for lending a helping hand. He loved to share stories about his past with his family and close friends.
He was a member of Pioneers of Alaska Igloo No. 4, American Legion, Vernon Nash Antique Auto Club, Elks Lodge in Fairbanks and Masonic organizations.
Alva is survived by his loving daughter, Cynthia Coty; twin grandson, Joseph Coty Jr. (Josie); great-grandson, Bryan Coty, of Fairbanks; granddaughter, Deborah Bulmer (Christian); great-granddaughter, Kaytlin Smith; and stepgreat-grandchildren, Kirsten, Cherish, Andrew and Wyatt Bulmer, of Tennessee; granddaughter, Julie Coty; great-granddaughters, Ashley Pope and Madisyn Presley, of Fairbanks; great-grandson, Sam Presley, of Florida; sister, Beulah Bander, of California; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
He is preceded in death by his lovely bride, Icle Ditch; his parents, Walter and Nellie Ditch; brothers, Everett Ditch, Shelby Ditch, Delbert Ditch and Paul Ditch; sisters, Freda Jordan and Wilma Goss; son-in-law, Joseph Coty Sr.; and his infant twin grandson.
We will miss you, Dad.
Viewing will be held from noon-1pm with the funeral service at 1pm Saturday, Jan. 21, at Shannon Park Baptist Church, 409 Lazelle Rd, in Fairbanks. A potluck will be after the service at the church. He will be laid to rest at Northern Lights Memorial Park in the spring.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to your favorite charity in Alva Ditch's name. Published in Daily News-Miner on Jan. 20, 2017.
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