Leroy W. Diekemper

Leroy W. Diekemper of Carlyle died Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville at the age of 81 years. Leroy was born in Carlyle on April 23, 1932 the son of Bernard and Ludena (List) Diekemper.

Leroy is survived by a brother: Bernard "Diek" Diekemper and wife Catherine of Breese; and nieces and nephews: Michael Litteken, Barbara Berndsen, Alan Litteken, Dennis Litteken, Karen Smyth, Marilyn Lemons, Arlene Hyde, Edward Diekemper, Ruth Ann Rhodes, Andrew Diekemper, Denise Scagliarini, Martin Diekemper and Timothy Diekemper.

Leroy was preceded in death by his parents; a sister: Mary Benita Litteken; nephew: Anthony Henry Diekemper; and a brother-in-law: Daniel Litteken.

Mr. Diekemper served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and later retired as a carpenter at Scott Air Force Base. He was a member of St. Mary Church in Carlyle, the Knights of Columbus Council 1382 in Carlyle, Bishop Althoff Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assembly, Catholic Fraternal Life, Clinton County Historical Society, American Desoto Auto Club and Clinton County Serra Club. He was a former member of the St. Mary Church Choir. Possibly his biggest passion was being a huge fan and supporter of Mater Dei Catholic High School.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Mary Church in Carlyle with Fr. George Mauck and Fr. Chuck Tuttle officiating.

The interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery.

Friends may visit with the family at the Frerker Funeral Home in Carlyle on Friday for 5 to 8:00 P.M. or on Saturday form 8 to 9:30 A.M. The Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at St. Mary Church on Friday evening at 7:00 P.M. The 4th Degree Chalice Presentation will start at 7:30 PM.

For those that wish to honor Leroy with a memorial, the family suggests Mater Dei Catholic High School or All Saints Academy and those will be accepted at the Frerker Funeral Home which is serving the family.