Harry "Dwight" Deitrick

Harry “Dwight” Deitrick, 94, of Prophetstown, Illinois, passed away on January 6, 2026, at Bickford Senior Living Center in Moline, Illinois. There will be no visitation or funeral.  Dwight will be interred Wednesday, January 14, at the Dunreath Cemetery, in Red Rock Township, Iowa.  Family and friends are invited to the brief graveside ceremony.  A memorial service honoring Dwight will be planned and held at a future date.

Dwight was born October 11, 1931 in Red Rock, Iowa, the son of William Harrison and Ruth Mayer Deitrick.  He was preceded in death by his parents; Harry and Ruth, his brothers; Lyle (Buck) and Jim, and his sisters; Lylia, Marlene, and Ruthie. Dwight was married to Wanda Clark on January 19, 1951.  Sadly, his wife of 74 years, also preceded him in death just 1 month prior to Dwight’s passing.  They would have celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary just next week. 

Dwight and Wanda had 4 children; Mark, Mardi, John, and Eric. The family members remaining to cherish their memories are their children; Mark (Laura) Deitrick, Mardi Deitrick, John (Theresa) Deitrick, and Eric (Ann) Deitrick.   There are 10 grandchildren: Cory, Tara, Katy, Erica, Ryan, Colt, Melissa, Tracy, Taylor, and Luke.  There are also 11 great grandchildren and countless nieces and nephews. 

Dwight grew up working on the family farm. He later worked as a mechanic, holding various positions within different companies.  He ultimately ended up working as a technician at a Thermo King Dealership in Des Moines, Iowa.  He started as a mechanic at Thermo King, and after a few years was promoted to Service Manager.  He was then moved into sales at the Dealership, and eventually he was given the position as the Dealer Branch Manager in the Quad Cities, Illinois.  In 1985, Dwight acquired ownership of the Dealership, in the Quad Cities, and later expanded his business by adding additional Dealerships in Dubuque and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Springfield, Peoria, and Quincy, Illinois.

Upon his retirement from Thermo King, Dwight wanted to start his last great adventure. He purchased a small farm in Prophetstown, Illinois, where he started Deitrick’s Alpaca Ranch. He really enjoyed living on the farm and working with the Alpacas.

Throughout his adulthood, the Church was an integral part of Dwight’s life.  He was baptized in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Through his ministrations, he became the Pastor of the Church in Runnells, Iowa, and later was the Pastor of the Northeast Congregation in Des Moines, Iowa.  When Dwight moved to Prophetstown, Illinois, he played an instrumental role in the development of a Church Reunion and Camp Ground, and establishing a new Church in Geneseo, Illinois

Dwight was an avid fisherman.  For over 50 years, he and his wife would take a spring and fall fishing trip to Canada, and invite family and many friends on all of their trips.  Great memories are shared of those Canadian fishing trips. He also enjoyed playing golf and snow skiing in his younger years.  He was playing 9 holes of golf when he was 90 years old! Dwight and Wanda also enjoyed traveling and were fortunate enough to be able to take trips abroad and visit many vacation spots around the world,

Dwight was blessed with a long, productive life.  He will be missed.