Obituary for George Henry Diehm at Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home (2024)

George Henry Diehm, 90, of Parker, KS, husband of Loretta (Edwards) Diehm died June 5, 2024, at The University of Kansas Medical Center. George was born June 5, 1934, to Henry and Grayce (Kizer) Diehm. He was raised on a farm 4 miles north of Parker.

George graduated from Parker High School in 1952. He joined the National Guard and after boot camp farmed for 1 year. He attended Ottawa University where he graduated in 1957 with a teaching certificate to teach K through 12 music, both instrumental and vocal. George was a great musician. He could play any instrument but specialized in playing the piano.

1957 was a big year for George. He married the love of his life Loretta on July 28, 1957. They were married for 61 ½ years. Until the time of his passing, he made it clear that he married the cutest curly haired girl in the Beagle church. After their wedding they moved to LaCygne, KS where he taught music and was the Principal at the High School. George did anything that needed to be done in LaCygne from driving the school bus when the driver was sick to peeling potatoes when they were shorthanded in the kitchen.

In 1958 he became a Mason and was a member for life. He was not content with his education and attended night and weekend classes at Pittsburg State for his Master’s degree. He took classes at KU, Emporia State and Wichita for his Doctorate with no thesis.

While in LaCygne, George and Loretta welcomed 2 children to their family. Chris Edward in 1960 and Robyn Renee in 1961.

In 1965, they moved to Paola where George became Business Manager. In 1968 they welcomed a third child, Kevin Dean, to the family. Not long after that George became the Superintendent of Schools for USD 368 until 1979. He had a lot of education and loved teaching kids and teachers too.

During this time, he was active in the National Guard retiring from service in 1972 with 20 years as Artillery Unit Commander. While in Paola he held the position of President for the Lions Club, Chairman for The United Way campaign as well as serving on the Miami County Fair Board.

George was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church, starting in Beagle then LaCygne and finally Paola where he was the resident Choir Director. He served on almost every Church committee and was proud to be one of the Methodist Men.

He had three priorities in his life: 1. Loretta 2. Family 3. Faith

When George left the school business a good friend Bill Richardson got him on at the Fairfax GM plant in Kansas City. He was there for 1 month and the roof fell in. He did not have seniority so that was the end of his automotive career. In 1980 he was hired by the Missouri Pacific Railroad, where he worked for 20 years until retirement.

George loved everything to do with the outdoors, farming, hunting, and fishing. He really liked his cows, some of his best times were attending bull sales with his sons and grandsons. What he liked best were the pies that Loretta made. He was known to buy her homemade pies at church sales knowing full well she had made 1 to keep at home for him.

George lost Loretta in 2018 which was the hardest thing he had ever had to deal with. He was in a funk that no one thought he would recover from. His love for his kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and church pulled him through. He always had eggs for everyone in the family and baited all the kids with dishes full of candy all over the house. He would say, “Let them have another piece, they’re small and won’t hurt them.” He loved those babies.

George and Loretta leave a legacy of raising good Christian people. That should be everyone’s priority in life. Job well done.

Preceding George in death were his parents, his sister Beth Elaine and husband Willis Hodgson, two granddaughters, Eliza Luce, and Mallory Diehm.

Survivors are his son Chris, daughter-in-law Pat (Phillips) of Parker, daughter Robyn and husband Paul Luce of Spring Hill, son Kevin and wife Chrissy (Hale Scott) of Parker.

11 grandchildren: Seth and wife Shelby Diehm, Audrey Diehm, Emily (Luce) Haas and husband Ty, Ethan Luce, and wife Anji, Elise Luce, Justin Diehm and wife Autumn, Amber (Diehm) Brocker and husband Robert, Brittney (Diehm) Stratman and husband Erik, Cody Scott and wife Erika, Garrett Scott, and Justin Scott.

14 great-grandchildren: Ryder, Greyson, Stetson, Taythen, Lillian, Jeremy, Alex, Jace, Gunnar, Briar, Kate, Wesley, Henry, and Karsyn.

2 great great-grandchild: Deryck and Evan

Leaving a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends to grieve.

Memorials are to:

George H Diehm Music Education Scholarship

c/o Miami County Community Foundation

702 Baptiste Drive

PO Box B

Paola, KS 66071