Published on April 15, 2026 2:39 pm
Last Updated on April 15, 2026 2:39 pm
Jerry L. Dittamore, 70, passed away at 9:45pm on Sunday April 12th, 2026, at the Willow Breeze Hospice House in Mattoon, IL with family nearby.
Per his wishes, cremation rites were accorded. The Barkley Funeral Chapel in Greenup, IL is assisting the family.
Jerry was born July 20, 1955 to Joseph “Joe” H. Dittamore and Jane (Jones) Dittamore. He grew up in Montrose, IL. He married Dana Barnes in 1995. She preceded him in death on November 25, 2021.
Survivors include his brother Jeff (Chie) Dittamore; nieces and nephews Ashley (Wade) Emerson, Karl Dittamore, Jake Dittamore and Jaelynn Dittamore, as well as many close friends, neighbors, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Dana, brother Joseph “Joey” Dittamore (lost at sea), and his beloved Border Collies, Oliver and Olivia.
Jerry was an extroverted conversationalist, with much passion, talent, and a constant craving for adventure and creation. His precision craftsmanship was applied to each project he pursued. Jerry joined the IBEW Local 146 shortly after graduating from Effingham High School in 1973. His loyalty to the brotherhood accompanied his lifelong career as an Electrician. His career led him to live throughout the country, spending extended periods of time working in nuclear power plants in Florida. He worked for several years in New York City as a pipeline inspector, where he embraced culture, food and people, as well. Jerry retired from the City of Charleston, Illinois as an Electrician. Jerry was an enthusiast of water, air, and land sports. From piloting his Cessna aircraft, to celebrating the culture of Corvettes with his 1978 model at Funfest in Effingham, he was a man of eclectic interests. Jerry loved his family dearly, especially his nieces and nephews, passing down a few choice hobbies. He embraced science, enjoyed guns and trap shooting, and was an avid Jeopardy contender at the Uptowner Bar in Charleston, IL. Jerry had an undeniable passion for woodworking. He built and restored several custom wooden row boats, a paddle boat and motor boats. He also designed a fleet of collectable ships and many functional tools and trinkets over the years in his shop. Windsurfing, paragliding, captaining his Chris-Craft boats and scuba diving shipwrecks are a few more of the great opportunities Jerry seized during the course of his life. His creativity, curiosity and open-minded thinking influenced his friends, as well as his younger generations of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and family. His adventurous, loving soul will be greatly missed and always remembered.
Donations in Memory of Jerry L. Dittamore may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital for Children and Shriners Hospital for Children.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.barkleyfuneralchapels.com