Many family and friends of the much-loved, “Bicycling Freddie” Dittoe, were in attendance when Dittoe was laid to rest on July 21 in a simple ceremony at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens in New Carlisle. Local Pastor, Richard McIntosh, officiated the graveside service.

Dittoe was a popular character in the greater New Carlisle area where he could always be found smiling, riding his bike, and cutting grass. Dittoe spent his life living in Medway and the surrounding area.

An official letter written by the Representative for Ohio’s 79th district, Kyle Koehler, was read during Dittoe’s funeral service. The letter praises Dittoe for the “indelible impression on those whose lives he touched” and for “immeasurably contributing to the world around him.” Koehler’s letter also commends Dittoe’s guardians, Ron and Julie Martin, for bettering the community through their “unwavering compassion and selflessness” in caring for Dittoe, a mentally challenged individual.

The Martins took over guardianship of Dittoe when he was nearly 40. At the time, Julie was 25 and Ron was 33. They would serve as Dittoe’s guardians until his death 30 years later, on June 30, 2016.

Mourners gathered after the service at the local Crystal Lakes Moose Lodge in for a time of fellowship and to swap their favorite “Freddie Stories.” In addition to stories about Dittoe’s famous bike-riding and love for cutting grass, many of the stories revolved around Dittoe’s love for food, especially peanut butter, and his extraordinary strength, with many saying, “He was as strong as on ox!” Dittoe’s deep faith and love of his family, friends, and community was remembered the most.

Several local residents and merchants helped the Martin family with the details of the day.

Friends of the family, New Carlisle’s Mel-O-Dee Restaurant, and Copey’s Butcher Shop donated food for the meal after the funeral service. The generosity of New Carlisle’s Trostel, Chapman, Dunbar & Fraley funeral home, Security National Bank, Stan and Barbara Ferryman, and donations from community members helped pay the costs of Freddie’s service and burial.

“Everyone has just been amazing,” say the Martins, “We are just overwhelmed and so thankful. We know Freddie touched a lot of lives, but we were not expecting all of this. The letter from Rep. Koehler, the food, all of the people who came (to the service) and everyone who has called to say they would miss Freddie and to check on us...it has all meant so much to us, and would have (meant a lot) to Freddie too. We just can’t thank everyone enough.