Lawrence Edward “Bud” Dietrich, Jr., 88, of Rome City, Indiana died Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Lutheran Life Villages in Kendallville.

He was born July 23, 1938, in St. Louis, Missouri to Lawrence E. Dietrich, Sr. and Laura (Wilhelm) Dietrich.

He married Mary Alice Weible on August 17, 1958. She preceded him in death on September 8, 2010.

Lawrence honorably served his country in the U.S. Army.

Bud was a lifelong auto mechanic who took great pride in owning and operating his own shop. He was a hardworking man who enjoyed staying busy and helping others. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Kendallville and was also a Mason and Shriner, finding fellowship and purpose through his involvement in his community.

In his free time, Bud enjoyed fishing, grocery shopping, and cooking. He especially loved making food for others and giving it away. His homemade beef jerky was a particular favorite and became one of the many ways he showed his love and generosity to family and friends. For Bud, sharing good food was a way of sharing his heart with the people around him. He also enjoyed traveling and making memories along the way, as well as dancing and simply enjoying life.

Surviving are two daughters, Bridget (Kevin) Wengert of Kendallville and Alicia (Karen Renz) Dietrich of Whidbey Island, Washington; a son, Lawrence “Larry” (Karla) Dietrich, III of Wolcottville; six grandchildren, Stanley Schmidt, Nathan (Elisha) Schmidt, Nicole (Nathaniel Gibson) Schmidt, Matthew (Elizabeth) Dietrich, Lawrence Dietrich, IV, and Mason (Haven Stier) Wengert; 11 great-grandchildren, Teegyn, Maxwell, Callaway, Natalie, Zayden, Micah, Evelyn, Eloise, Elizabeth, Maverick, and Luka and one on the way in December; two sisters, Marlene Sturgis and Dottie Rodgers; three brothers, Dennis (Cindy) Dietrich, Chuck (Rowena) Dietrich, and Karl (Rhonda) Dietrich; and four sisters-in-law, Betty Dietrich, Sharon Dietrich, Leslie Dietrich, and Margaret Dietrich.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Joey Dietrich; his stepmother, Thelma Dietrich; a sister, LaVerne Racht; five brothers, Vernon Dietrich, Ted Dietrich, John Dietrich, Edward Dietrich, and Richard Dietrich; a sister-in-law, Carolyn Dietrich; and three brothers-in-law, Jerry Racht and Pete Rodgers.

Funeral service will be Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville with Pastor Pete Meneghello of Lutheran Life Villages officiating.

Visitation will also be on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will follow in Ontario Cemetery, Howe.

Preferred memorials are to St. John Lutheran Church Legacy Fund, Lutheran Life Villages Pastoral Care, or Parkview Hospice.

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