Charles D. Ditmars

Charles "Buster" Ditmars, age 78, of 7311 Curry Road, Trumansburg, went home to be with his Lord Jesus on Wednesday, November 4, 2009, at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira.

Born in Trumansburg on February 17, 1931, Buster was the son of the late Charles and Martha Ditmars. He graduated from Trumansburg High School in 1951, and later was employed by Cornell University in the Highway Research Department.

With a willingness to share his passion for the Lord, Buster taught Sunday School for 40 years and was a faithful member of the Calvary Baptist Church. Buster's fondest memories were those of time shared with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He could often be found playing games with family and friends, or rooting for his favorite sports teams. Buster had an appreciation for the nature around his beautiful country home, delighting in watching the extensive variety of birds in the area.

Buster is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Pat; five children, Kathleen (Charles) Carpenter of Trumansburg, Deborah ( Kenneth) Dawson of Fairborn, Ohio, Sandra Fekete and friend Clifford Ellsworth of Grayling, Michigan, Rebecca (James) Ruoss of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and Magaret (Daniel) Sawchuck of Richland; 24 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Peter (Lois) Ditmars and Paul (Helen) Ditmars; four sisters, Sally Cooper, Shirley (Wayne) Akey, Mary Ellen (Bart) Colandene, and Sharon (Hal) Kalser; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will be present to receive friends on Friday, November 6, 2009 from 3:00 to 5:00pm and 7:00 to 9:00pm at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg. Funeral Services will begin at 11:00am on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at the Calvary Baptist Church, 5 Bradley St., Trumansburg, with the Pastor Timothy Hamilton and Pastor James Walter officiating. Prayers of committal will follow in Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks those who wish to make a contribution in Buster's memory to kindly consider the Calvary Baptist Church Handicap Entrance Project, PO Box 413, Trumansburg, NY 14886.