Sally Ann Dietsch

Sally Ann Dietsch, 86, of Florence passed away Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in Springfield. She was born on Sept. 24, 1939, in Dunmore, PA, the daughter of Salvatore and Anne Fedorchak Rinaldi. Sally married Edwin “Ed” Dietsch, Feb. 19, 1960, in Long Beach, CA. Sally became a Wave when she joined the US Navy out of high school and moved from Pennsylvania to California. During her time in the service, she met and married Ed. After serving three years, the couple moved to Keokuk, IA where her children were born and she was employed as a police dispatcher. In 1975, she and Ed moved to Bath, IL where she worked as an assistant librarian for the Balyki School District. In December of 1982, Sally, Ed and another couple purchased the restaurant and tavern that would become Ed & Woodies Tap in Florence. Sally and Ed became sole owners of the restaurant and, together with her son, ran it for thirty-five years before retiring in 2018. One of Sally’s greatest joys in life was the company she kept at Ed & Woodies and the many years of celebration that took place under her roof. A lifelong Catholic, Sally, in her later years, attended New Song Ministries in Bluffs, where she loved to hear her daughter sing. While she was known for having a fiery spirit, Sally lived a generous life (a favorite yearly activity was Christmas basket shopping for local children and families). She served for many years with her husband on the Florence town board, where she resided before her passing. Surviving is husband, Ed of Florence; children, Scott (Lisa) Dietsch of Havana and Lorena (William) Sleeman of Bluffs; siblings, Angelica Conway and Marie (Joe) Bartos, and sister-in-law, JoAnn Rinaldi all of Dunmore, PA; grandchildren, Ryan (Megan), Patrick and Brady (Summer) Dietsch of Havana, and Jasper Sleeman of Los Angeles, CA; great grandchildren, PJ and Mason Dietsch both of Havanna. Sally was preceded in death by siblings, Margarett and Domenick Rinaldi and brother-in-law, Frank Conway. Services will be held on Monday, Nov. 3rd, at New Song Church, with 10 AM visitation and 11 AM service. Following the service, a celebration of life will be held at the Riverbank Bar and Grill in Florence, IL. All are welcome to attend. Memorials can be made to the Kiwanis’s Christmas baskets in Winchester, IL or the Pike County Christmas baskets.

Sally Ann Dietsch

September 24, 1939 - October 8, 2025