Louis E. “Lou” Dutka, 89

October 07, 2016

Louis E. “Lou” Dutka, 89, passed away peacefully, while surrounded by his family, on Friday, October 7, 2016, at Hospice and Community Care, Mount Joy. Born in 1926, in Corona, Long Island, NY, he was the only child of the late Elmer J. and Julia (Darvas) Dutka. After the death of his parents in 1938, he moved to Avenel, NJ to live with his uncle and aunt, the late Jacob and Bertha Dietrich and their two children, Jack and Doris.
Between the years of 1945 and 1950, Lou spent 2 years in the US Merchant Marines and 2 years in the US Army Air Corps. From 1950 to 1954, he served in the US air Force during the Korean War, as a flying radio operator. In 1952, he was awarded the Air Force Medal and was honorably discharged in 1954 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Lou married Mary W.J. DeJongh on September 19, 1957 at the United Lutheran Church in Eugene, Oregon. He graduated the following year from the University of Oregon, in Eugene with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He retired in 1998 from Dorma Door Controls, Inc., Reamstown, as a production supervisor.
Lou was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity while at the University of Oregon, a member of the Highland Presbyterian Church, Manheim Township, and a member of the American Business Club of Lititz, for several years. He enjoyed woodworking, reading, and traveling with his wife, Mary, to 46 of the 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska, traveled to 18 of the National Parks of the United States, went on 2 cruises, and traveled to Europe, England, Nova Scotia, and other parts of Canada.
In addition to his wife, Mary, Lou is survived by his 3 children: Warren L. Dutka, husband of Jennifer (Markley), of Camp Hill; Gordon P. Dutka, husband of Donna (Luisi), of Mountville; and Marylou, wife of Charles A. Stambaugh, III, Esq., of Lancaster. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren: Amy Strom, wife of Dan, of Carlisle; Rachel Dutka, of Littlestown; Allen Stambaugh and Gregory Stambaugh, both of Lancaster. In addition, he is survived by his cousin, Jack Dietrich, husband of Irene, of Florida and their 2 grown children, Robert, of Florida, and Shirley, of Pennsylvania. He also is survived by his brother-in-law, Peter DeJongh.
Funeral Services for Lou will be private and at the convenience of the family. Interment with full military honors will take place at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA. To leave the family an online condolence, please visit: SnyderFuneralHome.com.