Mel George Dietrich

February 3, 1967

August 19, 2003

Mel George Dietrich, 36, of 30 Lausch Road, Denver, Lancaster County, died unexpectedly in his home early Tuesday morning.  An autopsy conducted at Conestoga View, Lancaster, determined his death to be accidental.  He and his son participated in a father-son soccer game at the Twin Valley Bible Academy, Berks County, on Sunday evening where Mel was struck in the chest by the ball.  It was determined that this had injured his heart and caused a fatal dysrhythmia.   Born in West Reading, Berks County, he was a son of Charlotte (Himmelberger) Dietrich, Birdsboro, and the late Melvin Dietrich.  He was a husband of 11 years of Billie J. (Sensenig) Dietrich, having celebrated their anniversary on December 14, 2002.     A Navy veteran of the Gulf War, he was also a reservist for many years.   He had worked for the past 8 years as a truck driver for Wickes Lumber of Ephrata.     Mel was a 1986 graduate of Twin Valley High School, Berks County, and held track record at the school to this day.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman.     He attended New Joy Brethren in Christ Church, Ephrata.   Surviving in addition to his wife and mother, are a son, Zachariah P., and a daughter, Hannah K. Dietrich, both at home; and a sister, Melanie, married to Michael Moyer, Sinking Spring, PA.

Mel's viewing will be held on Friday evening, August 22, 2003, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM from our parlors.

A memorial celebration of Mel's life will be held on Saturday morning, August 23, 2003, at 11:00 AM from New Joy Brethren in Christ Church, 35 New Joy Drive, Ephrata, PA 17522 (just off of Route 272 at the new CVS Store, north of Ephrata).

There will be no viewing at the church on Saturday.  The family strongly requests that flowers not be sent, and that you remember Mel with contributions to the "New Joy" church at the above address.

Final disposition will be private.