Kenneth R. “Ken” Diehl – (83) – formerly of 449 Canisteo St., Hornell, died early Tuesday morning (September 11, 2012) at Noyes Memorial Hospital in Dansville, following a brief illness.
Born in Buffalo on December 29, 1928, he was the son of Robert J. & Theresa (Jaremboski) Diehl.
Ken attended Seneca Vocational High School in Buffalo and was a graduate cum laude of Franklin School of Science & Arts in Philadelphia, PA where he was president of his class.
He was employed as senior technician at the former New York State T.B. Hospital Laboratory in Mt. Morris for several years. In 1958 he moved to Hornell and began his employment by the former Steuben County Medical Laboratory at the former Bethesda Community Hospital where he served as laboratory supervisor. In 1968, he accepted a position in the laboratory at St. James Mercy Hospital from which he retired as chemistry department supervisor in 1990.Ken was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church. He was a member of RSVP, serving as a volunteer in the “Meals on Wheels” program. He also was a volunteer at the Hornell Public Library for many years following his retirement.
He was married October 1, 1955 in St. Ann’s Church to the former Joan Dagon who survives.
Surviving are 2 sons, Kenneth (Peggy) Diehl of Pittsford and Kevin (Christine) Diehl of Hornell; 2 daughters, Elizabeth (Jeff) Argentieri of Groveland and Gretchen (Pat) Baia of Amsterdam, NY; 1 brother, Robert (Marie) Diehl of East Aurora; 1 sister, Ruth Miller of Arcade; 12 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; many nieces & nephews.
The family of Kenneth R. “Ken” Diehl will receive friends on Thursday from 4 – 7 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 11:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Ken’s family request that memorial contributions in his name be made to either the Hornell Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Dr., Hornell, NY 14843 or to the Hornell Public Library, Genesee St., Hornell, NY 14843 or to St. Ann’s Academy, PO Box 446, Hornell, NY 14843. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.
Oh, Uncle Kenny…how I love you. Your gentleness, your warmth and your smile will stay with me always. Thank you for your part in my life. And to all my Diehl cousins…I am thinking of you and wishing you peace. He will be so missed. Love you all! xoxo Ellen
So very sorry for your loss Kenny. I will keep you and my Chaddock Ave. family in my prayers. He was that commodity so rare these days, A TRUE GENTLEMAN! He was always kind and treated all of us well regardless of the way some of us were acting at the time. He was a great example for all of our gang to try to live up to. He will be greatly missed! I hope he will meet Mom and some of the old Bethesda gang in Heaven. cjw
Ken/Peggy, I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your father/father-in-law. Please know that my prayers are with you and your family. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you or any family member needs anything. I know how special Ken was to both of you from the stories Peggy shared at the office. Know that you are both special and many people are thinking of you. Your friend, Kathie
Ken and Peggy,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. We are sorry for you loss, but know that you have a beautiful family and many great friends to help you through your time of loss.
Jon and Jennifer Carpenter
Jack and Pat Haughey
Condolences to the entire Diehl family … I met Joanie first when I worked at St James … she worked with MaryJo Vanskiver in outpatient surgery and those two quickly became 2 of my favorite people ever!! After working for St James I worked at Aldi … Joan and Ken would come in and shop ~ they always seemed to be together ~ they were a great couple and it showed. Their smiles never failed to make me smile. I havent seen them in quite some time and the news of Ken’s passing saddens me. My heart goes out to you all during this difficult time.
Condolences to the entire Diehl family. Ken was the kindest, most warmest man I knew. I lived in Naples Apartments for 4 1/2 years and had the opportunity to get to know Joan and Ken very well. They were the rock at Naples Apartments. Kind and friends with everyone. Their door was always open to everyone and they loved my dog Tawney. I will always remember Ken and Joan walking hand in hand down the sidewalk to their car to go to church on sundays or out to dinner on Friday nights. Or sitting out at the patio table with all of us visiting. The world should have more men like Ken Diehl in it, what a wonderful place it would be!!!!
Kevin, Chris, Liz & Families,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Monte & Sue(Cheresnowsky) Hurd
Kenny, Peggy, and entire Diehl Families,
I wish there were words that could truly comfort and give you all the strength that these upcoming days will require. I wanted to let you know how deeply saddened we were to learn the news. As echoed by any and all who knew your dad, he was such a kind and gentle man. His quiet presence would fill a room with his warmth and tender spirit. You all know best just how special he was. Michael and John Michael join me, in sending all of you our most sincere sympathy and friendship. We wish we could be there for you. Despite your great sorrow I am sure you are filled with pride to have had such a wonderful father. You are all close in thoughts and prayers.
Mary Beth, Michael and John Michael Holtmann
I am so sorry for your loss and that I am unable to get home to pay my respect.I thought the world of Ken. Ken and Joan are a touching love story. He mentioned to me at the onset of Joan’s alzheimers that no matter how many times she repeated a story, he listened to it as if it was the first time he heard it. I know the last few have years have been hard on his loved ones due to the decline of their health. Find comfort that this beloved man is finally at peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss,
Kevin,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Loved this uncle with all my heart….what a family i was born into!!!!
To my neighbors of 50 years ago, my heartfelt sympathies on the passing of your dad. It was a pleasure seeing him not long ago. Wonderful Man!