Last Updated on February 27, 2015 by cassnetwork
Jeffrey J. Ditmire, age 48, of Monarch Beach, CA, died February 19, 2015, at his residence from complications of cancer. His husband, Kenneth, his mother Kathy and his sister Jill, were by his side when he passed.
Ditmire was born November 13, 1966, to L. Joseph (of Fulton) and Kathy Burns Ditmire (of Grass Creek), at Memorial Hospital in Logansport. His father preceded him in death on March 11, 2002. In August 2012, Ditmire was diagnosed with terminal metastatic colorectal cancer and fought an ongoing battle while still enjoying a full life filled with family, friends, travel and work.
Jeff graduated in 1985 from Logansport High school, where he was active in numerous clubs and activities, and served as senior class president, year book editor and competed in the IHSAA Tennis finals. He went on to graduate from the University of Dayton in 1989 where he was also editor of The Daytonian yearbook, a Varsity Cheerleader, Student Government member and elected Homecoming
King his senior year. Ditmire was awarded the UD Young Alumni of the Year Award in 2001 and remained active in the UD Flyer Alumni Association.
For the majority of his career, Ditmire was a magazine publisher. He began his publishing career by launching Dayton Monthly magazine in 1992 from his kitchen table in Oakwood, OH. Ditmire went on to work for some of the leading magazine publishers including Emmis Publishing, Time Inc., and Bonnier.
He was publisher of San Francisco magazine, Florida Travel & Life, Orange Coast and most recently five local lifestyle magazines for Freedom Communications including the award-winning Coast magazine. In addition, Ditmire worked for NCR Corp. and Avon Products North America. He was named Emmis Publishing Manager of the Year and received numerous other publishing awards for his leadership and creative vision.
On July 26, 2014, Jeffrey married his longtime partner, Kenneth Boultinghouse in Dana Point, CA.
In 2009, Jeff traveled to Southeast Asia to participate in the Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter Habitat for Humanity annual build, where he helped construct homes that changed the lives of many people in the village of Chiang-Mai, Thailand. In 2010, he, along with his husband and mother participated in the Birmingham build. Also, in 2009, Jeff discovered his love of running and participated in over five half
marathons, including the brutal Santa Barbara Pier to Peak run.
Jeff had a natural compassion towards animals. During his time in Florida, he rescued over thirty feral cats and kittens, either personally rehabilitating them or having them spayed/neutered and released. Two kittens would eventually become part of his family. He was a generous donor of both his time and finances to multiple animal rescue and homeless organizations.
Jeffrey was an avid traveler and his favorite city was San Francisco. He visited most U.S. major cities, traveled to Manchu Picchu in Peru as well as many other countries in Central America, South America, Southeast Asia and Europe.
In Jeff’s last years of life, he endured chemotherapy on a weekly basis, while working for Freedom Communications, got married, traveled to Europe and helped host a large Christmas party for his friends. Jeff also traveled to Logansport, Indiana shortly before his death and was surprised with the honor of having November 28, proclaimed Jeffrey Joseph Ditmire Day and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by his LHS class of 1985.
Jeff was known for his famous smile, which he continued to flash into his last days. Many knew him as a good friend.
Jeffrey is survived by his husband, Kenneth Boultinghouse; mother, Mary Kathleen Burns Ditmire; sister, Jill Ditmire; godchildren, Ella and Paul Springer; nieces, Josie Grace Boultinghouse and Tayler Anne Boultinghouse; aunt, Angela Moss; and several cousins, as well as his beloved cats, Halle, Fudgie and Missy.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 3, 2015, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Kroeger Funeral Home.
The Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., at All Saints Catholic Church, with Father Timothy Kroeger officiating.
Private burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, with Father Michael McKinney officiating.
A memorial service will be announced for Orange County, California and is tentatively planned for April.
Jeff requested that memorial contributions be made to the following charitable organizations, which may be made at his memorial or funeral services, or directly, as indicated below. When donating directly, please be sure to indicate the donation is in memory of Jeffrey Ditmire: The Ark of San Juan (animal rescue), P.O. Box 117, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693, http://arkofsanjuan.org/, or to Ronald McDonald House of Indiana, 435 Limestone Street, Indianapolis,
Indiana 46202, www.rmh-indiana.org.
Family and friends may leave a memory or message of condolence by visiting the online obituary at www.kroegerfuneralhome.com.