Phyllis B. Dittmer

Phyllis B. Dittmer, 93, of East Peoria, died at 1:45AM Thursday, April 6, 2017 at UnityPoint Health-Methodist in Peoria. Born August 21, 1923 in Keene, TX to William and Ona Champion Bouton. She married Warren Dittmer February 22, 1947. They were married 59 years, until he passed away in 2006. Surviving are two sons, Gene (Janet) of Acton, MA and Robert L. (Joan) Dittmer of Morton; one daughter, Patricia Barnett of Overland Park, KS; grandchildren, Nathan, David, Maria, Tim (Catherine), Christine (Doug), Katie, Dan, Mickey, and Kirk; seven great-grandchildren; and one sister, Joan. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Marybelle and Gladys; and four brothers, Bill, Jack, Clark and Dale. After high school, she worked as a cashier in the Peoria area and quickly moved into bookkeeping. With her obvious aptitude and love for accounting, she was offered an opportunity with Georgetown Life Insurance and quickly moved into the position of Treasurer for the company. While serving at Georgetown, she obtained her Fellow Life Management Institute designation. During this time, she also decided to become a CPA. After taking the necessary courses at Bradley University over several years, she passed the CPA exam on her first try in 1963, becoming the first female CPA in Central Illinois. In 1970, while working full time, Phyllis started a small accounting firm from her home. She was always sought after, eventually sitting on the boards for five corporations and being named Who’s Who in American Women, 1975. In 1979, she accepted a full time position with Heinold Banwart and managed their Morton office. In 1980, she purchased the Morton office and was joined in the business by her son, Robert. Dittmer Professional Corporation became a well-respected accounting firm in the area and gave her great satisfaction and pride. In 1991, the company was sold to Clifton Gunderson and Phyllis continued her life’s work until retiring in 1996. After retirement, she continued to do individual and business tax returns until the past year. She enjoyed taking care of the rental properties that she and her husband had acquired over the years. She loved to read, sew, and spend time with her family. Until her death, she exercised three days a week with her many friends in the Silver Sneakers program at the Eastside Recreation Center. She was a longtime devoted member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Peoria and served as their treasurer for many years. They recall her as a gifted and generous member of their congregation. She will be remembered by her children, grandchildren, and her many friends as a loyal, wise, kind, and generous mother, grandmother, and friend. She loved to laugh and have a good time. A funeral service for Phyllis will be held at 2:30pm Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory in East Peoria. Visitation will be from 5-7:00pm Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at the funeral home. Interment will be at Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria. Pastor Pete Braman will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Phyllis B. Dittmer

August 21, 1923 - April 6, 2017