Billie Jean Ditch

Billie Jean Ditch, 65, of Topeka, passed away Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at her home.

Billie was born January 12, 1941, the daughter of Charles E. and Mary L. (Reynolds) Powell in Miller, KS. She grew up in Topeka and graduated in 1959 from Topeka High School. Billie was a licensed beautician in the Topeka area for over 40 years.

She was a member of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church and a former volunteer for the Kaw Valley Girl Scouts.

Surviving of the home, her husband, Wayne, of almost 40 years; other survivors include her daughters, Dana D. Ditch of Overland Park, KS, and Debbie D. Oldham and her husband Michael of Peculiar, MO; her mother, Mary L. Powell of Topeka, KS, two granddaughters, Ella and Hannah Oldham, two sisters, Linda Stumbaugh of Minot, ND and Karen Jensen of Salinas, CA and a brother, Charles Powell, Jr. of Topeka, KS. She was preceded in death by two children, Michael E. and Michelle L. Cox and her father, Charles E. Powell, Sr.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 23, 2006 at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence in Topeka. She will lie in state after 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home; the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. that evening. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be given to Ella and Hannah Oldham's Education Fund in the care of Commerce Bank of Kansas. To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabel.com.