OBITUARY: Betty Joan Diefenbach

Betty Joan Diefenbach, 82, of Harrisburg passed away at 8:02 a.m. Friday, March 6, 2015, at Ferrell Hospital in Eldorado.

Betty was born on Feb. 15, 1933, in Galatia to the late Frank "Tony" and May (Harris) Sturam. On Nov. 27, 1952, she married Charles Ray Irvin and he preceded her in death on May 20, 2001. On July 27, 2005, she married LeRoy Diefenbach and he survives.

Betty was a clerk at Sears & Roebuck for 35 years. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Harrisburg, the Harrisburg Lions Club, Saline County Home Extension, Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary and the Raleigh Historical Society. She was the best cook in Saline County.

Surviving family members include her husband: LeRoy Diefenbach of Harrisburg; sister: Benita "Bonnie" Iwasko of Harrisburg; nieces: Anna Iwasko, Tina Griffith, Frances (Doug) Harry, Mary Iwasko; and nieces and nephew of her late husband Charles including, Sandy (Sam) Pemberton; great-nieces and -nephews: Angie (Jimmy) Knight, Rosamarie Harry and Dominic Harry; great-great-niece: Sarahbeth Pittman; five stepchildren: Denver Diefenbach of Carrier Mills, Stephen (Rita) Diefenbach of Carrier Mills, David (Libby) Diefenbach of Stonefort, Mary Owens of Harrisburg and Karen (Kevin) Diefenbach Trueblood of Columbus, Ohio; stepdaughter-in-law: Anita Diefenbach of Carrier Mills; numerous grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; first husband; sister, Laura Sturam; and step-son, Eric Diefenbach.

Funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Harrisburg. Father Abraham Adejoh will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, March 9, 2015, at Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg.

Condolences may be sent to the family through the obituary page at www.reedfuneralchapel.com.