Paul M. Diekemper

SHELBYVILLE - Paul M. Diekemper, age 91 of Carlyle, entered into rest on Monday, April 18, 2011, at his residence in Carlyle. Mr. Diekemper was born on November 18, 1919, on the family homestead on Diekemper Curve east of Carlyle, a son of M.H. and Catherine (Hempen) Diekemper. He married Evelyn M. Wedekemper on November 25, 1948, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Centralia. Mr. Diekemper is survived by his wife of 62 years, Evelyn Diekemper of Carlyle; 2 daughters – Rita Ann Stoker of St. Louis, Missouri and Connie Diekemper of Carlyle; 2 sons – Philip E. Diekemper and wife Eileen of Naperville, Illinois and Richard L. Diekemper and wife Mary of Peoria, Illinois; 6 grandchildren – Adam Stoker, Brian Stoker, Jackelyn Diekemper, Daniel Diekemper, Kelly Diekemper and Anna Diekemper, and one great grandson, Tyler Stoker; a sister – Laurette Kuhl of St. Louis; a brother – Robert Diekemper and wife Martha of Carlyle; and sister-in-law, Dororthy Ahlf of Ferrin. He was preceded in death by his parents – M.H. and Catherine Diekemper; a sister – Evelyn Tryba and husband Ernest J., and brothers-in-law – William Muehleisen, Bud Kuhl, and Clinton Wedekemper. Mr. Diekemper worked on the family farm, then insurance sales for Country Companies in Shelby County for 30 years. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Carlyle and former member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Shelbyville. Paul was a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 1382, Carlyle since 1943, the Holy Name Society, The Pana Prayer Group; the Kiwanis Club, The Loyal Order of Moose, National Rifle Association, and Clinton County and Shelby County Farm Bureau. He attended the University of Illinois, and enjoyed reading, hunting and watching sports on TV. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on April 25, 2011, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Carlyle with Fr. George Mauck as the main celebrant. Interment followed at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. The preferred expression of sympathy in Paul's memory are memorials to the Knights of Columbus Special Olympics programs and will be received at Zieren Day Funeral Home in Carlyle. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.zierenday.com. Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at http://legacy.com/obituaries/herald-review/