Phyllis Erline Ditzler, 10

Phyllis Erline Ditzler, age 84, passed away on March 18, 2009, at the Brethren Village Nursing Facility. Born in Lititz, PA, she was the daughter of the late Tobias Herr and Edith Wyman Erline. She was the wife of the late C. Elwood Ditzler.

She is survived by one son, Dr. W. Rodney Ditzler, and his wife, Judith of Ridgecrest, CA, and two sisters, Margaret Rutt of Charlotte Hall, MD and Helen Wingenroth of Ephrata, PA. She was the beloved Aunt of Edee Bedford,  wife of Robert W. Bedford, grand- nephew Matthew Cramer, all of Lancaster, and Judy Cotter of Charlotte Hall, MD. Brothers Dexter, Elmer and Dorothea preceded her in death.

Phyllis was a graduate of Lititz High School, Class of 1942. She worked in several offices in Lititz and Lancaster. She served as a Red Cross Volunteer ( Gray Lady ) for 18 years at what was then St. Joseph’s Hospital and she was a Volunteer Income Tax Assistant for 17 years. Phyllis was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

In 1946, Phyllis received an arteriogram injection of thorotrast ( thorium dioxide), a radioactive substance, to trace brain circulation after a stroke. The bungled injection led to surgery in 1964 to remove scar tissue which had cut nerves, paralyzing half her throat. The thorium dioxide may have caused the liver failure which took her life.

A memorial service will be held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 10 Delp Road, Lancaster, PA, 17601. 1PM on Tuesday, March 24^th, 2009 with Rev. Craig Ross and Rev. Jacquelyn Roderick officiating. There will be a visitation from 12PM until the time of the service. Interment will be in St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to a charity of your choice. Arrangements by the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel Inc. Lititz, PA, 17543 ( 717) 560-5100. To send an online condolence, please visit www.snyderfuneralhome.com.