Martha Dietkus

Martha T. Dietkus, 87 of Danville, died at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday January 23, 2007 at Vermilion Manor Nursing Home. She had been a lifetime resident of Danville, where she lived at the Wolford Apartments. Martha was born on March 6, 1919 in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of Roy and Mary (Taylor) Ewing. She married Edward Dietkus in 1950. She has two surviving sons: Milton Lee Brown of Danville and Edward (JoAnn) Dietkus of Savoy, IL. Grandchildren: Rick Brown of Catlin, IL and Randy Brown of Catlin, IL, Edward Joseph Dietkus of Urbana, IL, Jasmyne Dietkus of Hannibal, Missouri, Rachael Dietkus of Danville, IL, and Morgan Dietkus of Savoy, IL. She had six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Ewing, in 1989 and her husband, Edward Dietkus of Danville, in 1995. She worked at General Electric in Danville as a secretary for the manufacturing staff. Martha was President of the Dan Gees Entertainment Club and sang for Ronald Reagan on tour. She later worked as a hostess and for the Brown Derby, Connors, and Possum Trot restaurants until retirement. She had also been a Grey Lady for the hospital. Martha loved playing bingo and was an avid card player. She had a love for music and sang and played the organ for many years. Martha loved animals and oil painting and was a member of the Danville Art league. She was a longtime member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Danville. She had many friends and will be truly missed. A tribute to the life of Martha T. Dietkus will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday January 26, 2007 at Sunsets Community and Life Tribute Center in Danville (formerly Lakeside-Barrick Funeral Home) with Rev. Phil Jackson officiating. The family is asking friends to gather from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the Tribute Center. Burial will be at Danville National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Vermilion County Animal Shelter since Martha loved animals so much.