Kathleen Powers Ditewig

Kathleen Powers Ditewig, 90, passed away on December 21, 2014. Born November 10, 1924, in Peoria, to Thomas A. Powers and Nellie Barnett Powers, she married William F. Ditewig on September 25, 1948 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Peoria. He died September 26, 1986. She was preceded in death by her sister, Anna Powers Morel, three brothers (Edmund Powers, Robert Powers, and Thomas Powers). One brother, Joseph Powers, survives. Kathleen is also survived by her three adoring children, William Ditewig, Jeanne Ditewig, and Kathleen Ditewig-Morris; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Kathleen worked several years for the Illinois Bell Telephone Company and later for Buehler Retirement Home. Other than her children, she said, the "best experience of my life" was the grassroots community effort she spearheaded in 1970 to save the Peoria Public Library's Lincoln Branch on the South Side of Peoria from closure and demolition. Because of the efforts she led, the decision was reversed, and today the Lincoln Branch is still operational and is also on the National Register of Historic Places. Cremation rites have been accorded. Burial of ashes will take place privately. In respect for her wishes, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Midwest Affiliate; 4722 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria, Illinois 61614, or to the Kathleen Powers Ditewig Memorial Fund, ? the Friends of the Peoria Public Library; 107 NE Monroe; Peoria, Illinois 61602. Donations to this fund will be earmarked for activities, support, and programs specifically for the Lincoln Branch. Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.Davison-Fulton.com