Family mourning loss of 18-year-old daughter and father in fatal car accident thanks community for ‘overwhelming support’

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Tamatha Ditsch is living every mother’s worst nightmare as she prepares to lay her 18-year-old daughter and husband to rest on Wednesday, August 23. 

Beverly and Joshua Ditsch collided with a FedEx truck on Auten Road and Lindenwood Driveway on Friday morning taking both of their lives and changing the family’s lives forever.

"My grandpa is in her heart…he's in everyone's heart,” said little Joshua Ditsch, his grandfather's namesake, while comforting his grandmother during the unimaginable time.

Tamatha says she and her family have felt an overwhelming amount of love and support from the community.

"I find comfort in knowing they are together, that was his baby girl. She was the light of my world and so was he. He was the love of my life. We were supposed to grow old together,” said the grieving mother.

Their loved ones gathered to grieve together and share stories of the pair Monday evening, following an all-school prayer service hosted at St. Joseph High School where Beverly, a member of the national Honor Society and German Exchange Program had just started her senior year.

Those who knew Beverly say she loved to sing and paint.

Also that she had the voice of an angel like her father, Joshua.

After graduation she had dreams of becoming a pediatric nurse.

The father of four and grandfather of four is being remembered as a hardworking, diehard Notre Dame Football fan who loved to make others laugh. The only team he loved more than the fighting Irish, was watching his son, Dakota.

Friday night, August 18, just hours after the crash, was the first game of the season for St. Joseph’s Football Team. Family says Dakota, number 51, still played his heart out just hours after the tragic accident because he knew it’s what his father would have wanted.

Dakota and his friends have organized a GoFundMe to help cover expenses, writing “anything helps.. even prayers help…just do me a favor and hug your loved ones and cherish them” in the description.

The family says they could not be more grateful for the support during this difficult time, as Josh was the family’s sole provider.