JAMES EDWIN DIEHL

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JAMES EDWIN DIEHL On Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at the age of 86 years, James Edwin Diehl passed away peacefully at the Glenboro & District Health Centre. Jim leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife of 56 years, Eleanor (nee Eaton) son Allen (Beth) daughters, Evelyn (Frank) Pitura, Norma (Dennis) Vandekerkhove, Marlene (Greg) Graceffo, and Cona (Doug) Maughan; and his 13 grandchildren, Paul and Darren Pitura, Ryan and Trisha Diehl, Jodie (Dale Astill), Dana and Jeannie Vandekerkhove, Mark, Laura and Luke Graceffo and Trevor, Beckki and Caitlin Maughan. He is also survived by his brother Les (Anna Grace) sisters, Iris Carroll, Rilda (Stan) Carr, and Doreen Noble; in-laws, Reita (Howard) Sadler, and Arnold (Joyce) Eaton; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The son of Charles and Mary, Jim was born July 7, 1915 in Cypress River, MB, where he grew up on the farm with his brother and four sisters. He moved to Glenboro as a young man, first running a dray livery business and then an excavation business, digging many basements in the area including that of the Glenboro Hospital. While trucking both grain and gravel, he made his decision to farm. After marrying Eleanor in 1945, Jim became committed to the community. Jims contributions to his local community were many and varied. He served on the village and municipal councils, the Glenboro United Church Board, the hospital board and the Glenboro Agricultural Society. He was a 4-H calf club leader, a member and president of the Glenboro Kiwanis Club, and a 55-year member of the Glenboro Masonic Lodge No. 48. His 50-year jewel from the Masons was a prized possession. Jim was also a family man. His children remember being encouraged to develop their own interests and to contribute to their communities. The grandchildren fondly remember checking cattle, going to horse races, and playing games with Grandpa, but the most common memory seems to be Grandpas "killer floats", made with ice cream, 7-Up and grapefruit juice. A forward thinker, Jim was the first farmer in the Glenboro area to grow potatoes. He was a driving force in the creation of the Spirit Sands Co-op Housing in Glenboro. Jim enjoyed curling, square dancing, farming, horses, the Brandon Royal Winter Fair, telling stories and most of all, he loved life. A celebration of Jims life officiated by Rev. Marilyn Matson was held on Friday, April 12, with interment in Glenboro Cemetery. The eulogy was delivered by Rev. Milo Spooner Craig and "The Lords Prayer" sung by nephew Michael Diehl. Jims six grandsons served as pallbearers. The family would like to thank the staff at the Glenboro District Health Centre for the wonderful care Jim received in the Palliative Care room. Thank-you also to Moray Jamieson of Jamieson Funeral Home for his guidance. Donations in Jims memory can be made to the Glenboro United Church Memorial Fund, or the Glenboro and Area Foundation, Health Care Designation Fund, Glenboro, MB R0K 0X0.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 17, 2002