John G. Dietrich, M.D.

John G. Dietrich, M.D., 80, of Springfield, died Friday, Oct. 5, 2018, after a long and courageous battle with prostate cancer. John was born in Springfield on Nov. 6, 1937, the son of Gilbert and Violet Dietrich. He attended Cathedral High School, Springfield Junior College and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and graduated from the University of Illinois Medical School in 1963. He married Pat Ebel of Springfield in 1960. From 1965 to 1967, John served as a captain in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He completed a residency in pathology at the University of Minnesota Department of Laboratory Medicine in St. Paul, Minn., in 1970, after which he returned to Springfield as a pathologist at Memorial Medical Center. His interest in pathology dated to his work as a lab technician at Memorial while he was a college student. John spent his entire 47-year medical career at Memorial, including 10 years as chairman of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. He was a professor of pathology at Southern Illinois School of Medicine from 1972 until 2003, serving as chairman of the schools Department of Pathology from 1994 to 2003. John was the longtime medical director of the Central Illinois Community Blood Center and was director of the Springfield Clinic Laboratory from 1975 to 1987. In 1996, he was a founding partner of Pathology Associates of Central Illinois and was its president until 2003. He co-authored numerous publications for medical journals throughout his career. He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Charles and Mary Ebel; a sister, Mary Sue Dietrich; and three brothers-in-law, Jack Nierhoff, Mike Conlon and Edward Ebel. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Pat; children, Matthew (Laura) Dietrich and Sarah (Louis) Yockey of Springfield, Daniel Dietrich of Chicago, and Angie (Walter) Brafford of Memphis, Tenn; and sisters, Dorthy Brooks of Jacksonville and Nancy Slack of Champaign. He was the proud and active grandfather of eight grandchildren: Nicholas, Benjamin, Sofia and Theodore Dietrich, Charles, Louis, and Mary Catherine Yockey, and Walter Brafford. While in the Army, John developed an interest in woodworking, which remained a lifelong passion. His home and those of his children contain many examples of his skill in designing and building furniture and decorative wood pieces. He encouraged his grandchildren to experiment with woodworking projects in his workshop, which had served as a creative sanctuary for him and his children for many years. John was an avid gardener and he and Pat devoted many hours to maintaining the landscaping around Blessed Sacrament Church. When not playing golf, working in the yard, or spending time with grandchildren, John could be found with Pat dining at Fritzs, DArcys Pint, and various other favorite restaurants. Though known to his friends and family for his even temperament and quiet, cheerful demeanor, John enjoyed entertaining at social gatherings with Pat singing their signature song, "Say Something Sweet to Your Sweetheart." John endured his illness with the same quiet strength he lived his life. His courage during this difficult time was an inspiration to all who knew him. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 12, 2018, at Kirlin Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2018, at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1725 S. Walnut, Springfield with Rev. Jeff Grant, celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery with military honors provided by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County and the Department of Defense. Memorial contributions may be made to Blessed Sacrament Church, 1725 S. Walnut, Springfield, IL 62704 or Memorial Medical Center Foundation, 1000 Churchill, Springfield, IL 62702.