Thursday, March 28, 2024

Obituary of Alfred L. Diehl , 98

Name of Deceased Alfred L. Diehl
Age 98
Date of Death 11/28/2010
Date of Birth 07/21/1912
Funeral Home Wetzler Funeral Service

Alfred L. Diehl, 98, passed away peacefully at the Wynwood House in Centre Hall on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010.

Mr. Diehl was a long time resident of Pleasant Gap. He was born in New Buena Vista, Bedford County, on July 21, 1912. He was a son of the late Henry and Grace (Kelly) Diehl. He was married to A. Maxine (Crissey) Diehl, who preceded him in death on Nov. 28, 1999. He is survived by two children; Karasue Royer and her husband Robert, of Rio Grand, N.J., and Phillip Diehl and his fiancŽe Jeanne Straley, of Bellefonte; seven grandchildren, Alisa Button and her husband Brian and their children, Ashely Kim and her husband Richard, Robin Royer and her partner Jason Bishop and their son Sean Bishop, Tara Royer and her daughter Leah Nell, and Heather Royer, Ryan Diehl and his wife Kelly, Sean Diehl and Samantha Diehl. In addition to his wife and his parents, Mr. Diehl was preceded in death by five brothers, Charles, Robert, Chester, Samuel, and Blair, all of Bedford County.

Alfred graduated from Windber High School, I.C.S. of Scranton and obtained a surveying certificate from the Ohio State University. Mr. Diehl was employed by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission from 1936 to 1944 performing preliminary surveying and construction supervision on the nation's first toll road. From 1941 to 1943, he worked for Holabird and Root on building various ordinance plants to support the war effort. He was inducted into the Army in September 1943 and assigned to the 882nd Airborne Aviation Engineering Battalion, obtaining the rank of PFC. He served in the Pacific Theatre in New Guinea and the Philippines. For his service he received the Philippines Liberation Medal, three Bronze Battle Stars, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the American Campaign Medal. He was wounded in the Battle of Leyte and received the Purple Heart Medal.

Upon returning from the service, he resumed work for the Department of Environmental Services of Pennsylvania and worked on many flood control dam projects throughout Pennsylvania. The most notable position was acting as Resident Engineer on the building of the Shawnee Lake Impoundments in Bedford County. In 1958 he began working for Herbert R. Imbt Inc. on many roadway projects throughout the Commonwealth, and also on local projects in Centre County. He finished his career in 1979 working for the DCNR in Harrisburg, as Resident Engineer on many flood control and stream and dam rehabilitation projects.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved bowling. In his retirement he loved woodworking, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren. Mr. Diehl was a member of St. John's United Church in Bellefonte. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1600, the American Legion Post No. 33 of Bellefonte, the Pleasant Gap Fire Company, and the Disabled Veterans Center No. 118.

Public visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010, at Wetzler Funeral Service Inc., 206 N. Spring St., Bellefonte. The funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Anne Smith officiating. Burial will follow at the Centre County Memorial Park in College Township. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John's United Church of Christ, 145 W. Linn St., Bellefonte, PA 16823.