James L. Deitzler, 86, of Monroe Valley, stepped into eternity with Jesus on Sunday, June 16, 2024. He was at his home, as he was promised, surrounded by loved ones. He was the husband of the late Cynthia J. Schott Deitzler.
He was born on the farm in the Valley on Aug. 22, 1937, to the late William L. and Ethel I. Miller Deitzler.
He lived in the Valley his whole life. He worked hard to build the home where he would raise his family of six sons and three daughters. He worked for Hempt Brothers Construction for 35 years and then for Swatara Township for 13 years until his retirement. He attended the Open Door Mission in East Petersburg.
He was blessed to remarry another wonderful woman, Simone E. Beach Chritzman Deitzler, and he enjoyed many years of marriage with her and her three children. She also preceded James in death.
He loved his family and sacrificed to provide for them. He endured incredible loss, and yet he pushed on. Every scar and every wrinkle told a story of his life. He was a man of incredible faith, integrity, and values, and he shared those with the people who surrounded him. He never turned anyone away that needed help. He has passed those values on to his children and his grandchildren. He enjoyed spending time with them. As one of his grandsons will tell you, he is his “HERO!” No matter what he went through, he always had a wonderful sense of humor. He would tease his grandsons about “chasing the girls,” and he would always bring a smile to the faces of those around him.
He is survived by his sons, James R. (Nancy) Deitzler, of Cressona, Lloyd (Pamela) Deitzler, of Jonestown, David (Tammy) Deitzler, of Mt. Zion, Matthew (Rhonda) Deitzler, of Laurens, SC, James C. (Jenn) Deitzler, of Westfield, Jessie Deitzler, of Steelton, Scott (Diane) Chritzman, of Grantville, and Mark (Maureen) Chritzman; daughters, Debra (Kent) Kreider, of Ephrata, Ethel (Ernest) Lee, of Mount Joy, Jenny (Patrick) Patteson, of Jonestown, and Christine (Tommie) Rance, of Danielsville; and 27 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at the Kreamer & Lum Funeral Home & Crematory, Jonestown. There will be a viewing on Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Fredericksburg.
