Obituary

Joseph C. Ditto “Joe”, 89, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2024 at his home in Laguna Niguel, California after a courageous three-year battle with cancer.  He was surrounded by his beloved wife, Carolyn, and family in his final moments.

Joe was born August 26, 1934 in Elkhart, Indiana to George Alfred Ditto and Orpha Elizabeth (Yoder) Ditto.  A younger brother, Dr. William Ditto, survives him.

He graduated from Decatur High School in Indiana in 1953 and went on to obtain a BA degree from Manchester University in Mathematics.  He received his BS degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Purdue University in 1959.  He later earned his MS in Systems Engineering from West Coast University.

Joe had an illustrious career of 47 years in the National Missile Defense Industry.  He was hired for his first entry in his career field by Douglas Aircraft.  Joe said, “one application led me to work for three major corporations”. Douglas Aircraft became McDonnell Douglas who later merged with Boeing Company.  As Joe progressed in his career, he worked in field stations at White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces, NM, Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA, Cape Canaveral/Kennedy, FL, Huntsville, AL, and Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.  He retired in 2005 as Boeing’s Director of Mission Assurance Expendable Launch Systems.

He loved his family and in his retirement was able to spend more time with Carolyn, their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  He enjoyed reading, growing roses, and going to his Indiana lake home every Spring and Fall where he loved to fish.  Joe and Carolyn sang in their Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church choir and traveled with them to Scotland, England, and Italy for concerts.  They traveled to many other countries, but found their annual trips to Maui, Hawaii were the best.  Joe had many work related friends and regularly met with them for luncheon meetings.

Joe is survived by his wife, Carolyn Strickler Ditto; 6 children: Angela Hostetler (Tom), Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Dr. Steven Ditto (Denise) Choctaw, OK, Dawn Spinas (Andy), Fort Collins, CO, David Ditto, Santa Cruz, CA, Todd Waymire, Indianapolis, IN, and Heather Barnhart (Joby) of Los Angeles, CA, nine grandchildren; Josih Hostetler, Aaron Hostetler, Drew Ditto, Jordan Lovelace, Jessie Ditto, Kristin McKinnon, Janelle Spinas, Kaitlyn Barnhart, Joey Barnhart and 4 great grandchildren: Mackson McKinnon, Kiernan McKinnon, Lilly Joy Lovelace, and Benaiah Lovelace.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 11:00 am at Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church, 30071 Ivy Glenn Drive, Laguna Niguel, CA  92677.  Reception to follow with light refreshments.

Here is a link to view the memorial service: Joe Ditto Memorial Service

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church Music Ministries or to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Condolences:  www.oconnormortuary.com