Obituary: Norman Diefenbach

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Norman Diefenbach, 83, Harrisburg, died at 12:25 p.m. Sunday, June 24, 2012, at Shawnee Rose Care Center in Harrisburg.

Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, 2012, at Felty Funeral Home in Carrier Mills. Visitation will be held after 2 p.m. Wednesday. The Rev. John Hancock will officiate. Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 28, 2012, at Mounds City National Cemetery in Mounds City with military rites by the Carrier Mills American Legion, Harrisburg American Legion and the National Guard Ritual Team.

He was on Oct. 8, 1928, at Stonefort to the late Louis and Clara (Brandon) Diefenbach.

He married Edna Hancock on July 21, 1949, and she survives.

Norman joined the Navy at the age of 17 at the end of World War II. He was assigned to the c.b.'s (Construction Battalion helping rebuild the Pacific Islands). He went to work at Caterpillar Tractor in the early 1950's, and retired after 30 years and moved back to Southern Illinois. He loved working outdoors; he was an avid gardener and master beekeeper.

He is survived by his wife, Edna Diefenbach; three daughters: Lenora Krause, Shirley (Rich) Erickson and Sandy (Kevin) Obrakta; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Eva Hancock; a brother, Bertis (Joyce) Diefenbach; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Bonnie Erickson Howard; four sisters; and four brothers.

To send a personal condolence or sign the guest book you may view the obituary page at the Internet site www.feltyfuneralhome.com.