Obituary – Bertis M. Diefenbach – Benton, IL

Bertis M. Diefenbach, age 84, of Benton, passed away at 12:25 a.m. Monday, August 3, 2015 at the Stonebridge Senior Living Center in Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, August 6, 2015 at the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Paul Burbank officiating. Burial will be in the Palestine Social Brethren Cemetery in Stonefort. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour on Thursday at the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home of Benton.

Bertis M. Diefenbach was born August 13, 1930 in Stonefort, IL, the son of Louie Diefenbach and Clara (Branden) Diefenbach. He married the former Joyce Arliene Barger on June 18, 1950, and she survives.

Bert worked as a coal miner for 43 years. He worked with Freeman United Coal Company and would later retire with Brushy Creek Mine in Harco. He was a member of the Palestine Social Brethren Church in Stonefort. He attended the Glory Bound Tabernacle in West Frankfort.

Mr. Diefenbach was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.

Bert enjoyed gardening, woodworking, Cardinal baseball, watching football and basketball, working word search puzzles, and cutting firewood with his son. Bert made and tagged 145 bluebird houses across Franklin, Hamilton and Saline Counties “Bluebird Trail”.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Joyce Arliene Diefenbach of Benton; a daughter Susan McCarty of Benton; a son Tony Diefenbach and wife Anita of Macedonia; six grandchildren Wendy Neal and husband Tom of Whittington, Heather McCarty and friend Jamie Martin of Scottsville, KY, Melinda Shaw and fiancee Chad Downs of West Frankfort, Trampas Diefenbach and wife Melissa of Macedonia, Destry Diefenbach and wife Brea of Benton, Orrie Diefenbach and wife A.K. of Orlando, FL; eight great-grandchildren Andrew Neal, Noah and Isiah Shaw and their father Robert, Luke Hal Downs, Aleaha Downs, Baili and Makenna Diefenbach, Triston Wimberly; several nieces and nephews; and a very special nephew Leroy Diefenbach of Harrisburg.

Bert was preceded in death by his parents; fourteen siblings; and a son-in-law Richard McCarty.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Glory Bound Tabernacle in West Frankfort, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of Bert, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com