Robert (Bob) E. Diekemper, age 93, of Carlyle, entered into eternal rest on Monday, March 24, 2025 at Cedarhurst Senior Living in Breese, IL with family by his side.
Bob was born on November 12, 1931, on the family homestead on Diekemper Curve east of Carlyle. He was the son of M.H. and Catherine (Hempen) Diekemper. He married Martha M. Hodapp on June 1, 1957 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Carlyle and moved to Dupo where they raised their family and later moved to Millstadt. In July 1952 he was drafted by the army to serve in the Korean War and served until 1954. After serving the US army, Bob worked as a cartographer at the Defense Mapping Aerospace Center in St. Louis, MO until his retirement in 1988. After retirement, Bob and Martha enjoyed traveling throughout the US and to many foreign countries. They also enjoyed camping and boating/skiing with family and friends. Some of Bob’s favorite hobbies included gardening, woodworking, beekeeping, bicycling, and enjoying a good conversation with others. He was very proud of all of his grandchildren and took interest in their lives.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Carlyle, the Millstadt VFW 7980, Clinton County Farm Bureau, and Knights of Columbus Council 1382. He was a faithful blood donor to the American Red Cross.
He is survived by his daughter Lisa (Mark) Rickher of Matthews, NC: son Dennis (Tracey) Diekemper of Trenton, IL; daughters Jane (Shawn) Gillam of Troy, IL and Mary Sue (Dean) Harber of Trenton, IL. He had ten grandchildren: Kaitlyn (Devan) Mackey, Amanda (Nick) Alfieri, Allison (Scott) Pullen, Colleen (Keith) Kunz, Kelly (Adam) Baer, Michael (Hannah) Diekemper, Logan (Liz) Gillam, Haley (Peter) Binder, Cameron Harber and Lauren Harber and eight great grandsons and four great granddaughters.
He was preceded in death by his parents M.H.and Catherine Diekemper; a brother-Paul Diekemper and wife Evelyn; sisters Evelyn Tryba and husband Ernest; Laurette and husbands William Muehleisen and Bud Kuhl; sister-in-law Leona Hodapp.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church in Carlyle on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 11:30 AM with Fr. George Mauck, celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held at Zieren Funeral Home in Carlyle on Thursday morning from 8:30 - 11:00 AM. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Diekemper are suggested to St. Mary’s Church or to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be received through Zieren Funeral Home, 1111 Clinton Street, Carlyle, IL 62231. |