John Henry Dittus III

Friends will be received at the funeral home on Sunday May 24th from 2-5 PM.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday May 25th 10 AM at St. John's Parish in Woodstock. 

Inurnment will be at a later date privately.

John Henry Dittus III , 79, of West Hurley, NY passed away on May 18, 2026.

John Henry was born in Kingston, December 4, 1946. He attended St. Peters Catholic School and Kingston High School, graduating in 1964. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps at 17. He saw combat duty in the Dominican Republic in 1965 and Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. After his honorable discharge in 1968 as a Sergeant he relocated to California in 1969 and served thirty two years with the Santa Ana Police Dept. retiring as a Senior Sergeant III. John served eighteen years in the Marine Corps Reserves, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant (E8) John graduated from Santa Ana College (A.A) in 1974 and then from Cal State University Fullerton (B.A.) in 1977.

His life revolved around service to others. He was a member of American Legion Post 150, VFW Post 1386, and Hurley Lions. He held most positions at all these Benevolent Societies. He also served three years as a part time Assessor in Hurley and on the Town Board for eight years and on the Hurley Cemetery Board. He said that he served the living and the dead. He was always armed with a big story or joke and liked to leave people laughing. And he was on the Hurley Ulster County Regional Transportation Committee. He also served levels in the Republican Club in Hurley, NY. He made friends easily and for life.

He was predeceased by his parents, John and Catherine Dittus. He is survived by his loving wife, Donna Jean Dittus, his step-daughter Becky Durniok and her husband Paul, three adoring grandchildren Ethan, 21, Emma, 20 and Aubrey, 15. His four siblings, Bob Dittus (Kathleen), Carol Parrish (Ritch), Rose Dittus (Michael Vincitore) and Dan Dittus (Patty) and seven nieces and nephews in and around Kingston. John and Donna were parishioners at St. John’s Parish in Woodstock, NY. In lieu of flowers, John was a big contributor to Tunnels to Towers and the Wounded Warriors.