David Lloyd Diehl

David Lloyd Diehl, 92, passed away on May 27, 2011 in Salt Lake City, surrounded by his family. David was born in Cresson, Pennsylvania on April 1, 1919, as the only child of Ida Pearl Diehl. He grew up in Johnstown, PA, had fond boyhood memories of spending summers at his grandmother's home in Lilly, PA, and graduated from East Conemaugh High School, Class of 1937. David served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. While stationed at Camp Kearns (UT) he met LaVerne Andrus at a party near her home in Salt Lake City. They married October 30, 1946 in Wesley Chapel, PA. David graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and earned a graduate certificate at the University of Utah. Early in his career, David worked as a union organizer for the CIO (Congress of Industrial Organizations). David retired, as an investigator, from the Office of Personnel Management (formerly Civil Service Commission).

David enjoyed playing his banjo and played with Dixieland Jazz and dance bands. He often played at senior centers. He landscaped his yard and cultivated a wide variety of fruit trees. David attended University of Utah football games for sixty years and was honored as a "Superfan" in 2004. David was also active in the civil rights movement in Utah during the 1950s and 1960s.

David loved his family. He is survived by his wife, LaVerne Andrus Diehl; daughters, Berthana Drossos and Angela (Douglas) Eatough; and sons Richard (Kathy) Diehl and Raymon Diehl. Surviving also are grandchildren: Francine, Andrea, Philip, Samuel, Daniel, Jared, Cameron, Chantryce, Joshua, Sara, Timothy and Rebecca and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Pearl; father, Albert Hoza, step-father, Frank Good; daughter-in-law, Rebby Messerly Diehl; and son-in-law, Jim C. Drossos.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 2nd at 11:00 am at the Holladay 18th Ward, 2625 E. Milo Way (4910 South), Holladay, UT. A viewing will precede the service from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. David will be interred at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in David's name to the VA Hospital for the Hospice Center, 500 Foothill Blvd, Salt Lake City, UT 84148. The family appreciates the professional and loving service of the medical and nursing staffs at Superior Home Care, Garden Terrace, the Utah State Veterans Nursing Home and the VA Medical Center.

Online messages and tributes to the family can be posted at: www.holbrookmortuary.com