Robert Diehl

Robert Diehl
Robert Edward "Bob" Diehl, 87, of Belleville, Ill., born Aug. 5, 1921, in Belleville, Ill., died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, at St. Paul's Home, Belleville, Ill.
Mr. Diehl was chef production manager for Memorial Hospital before retiring in 1999. He was a member of St. Luke's Catholic Church, Belleville, Ill.
After enlisting in the United States Coast Guard on Sept. 28, 1942, Bob began his service aboard the USS O.V. Peterson DE 152. As a proud member of the Coast Guard, his service took him across the Atlantic Ocean many times, escorting ship convoys to Casablanca, North Africa, Londonderry, England; and eventually through the Panama Canal to the Pacific Ocean and on escort missions to Japan. Bob was part of the USS Peterson's crew that sank the UBoat 550 after forcing the German crew to surrender in the North Atlantic. He was honorably discharged as an E-5 ship's cook second class in St. Louis, Mo., on Dec. 19, 1945.

Eternal Father, Strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bid'st the mighty ocean deep,
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea.
O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe;
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee,
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
Amen.
- The Navy Hymn

Mr. Diehl was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Doris C., nee Zinkan, Diehl, whom he married Aug. 24, 1943, in Charleston, S.C., and who died Nov. 3, 2005; his parents, Peter and Theresa, nee Mueller, Diehl; a brother, Raymond Diehl; three sisters, Luella Diehl, Bernice Green, and Hilma Schott; and a great-grandson, Owen Bailly.
Surviving are his five children, Sharon (Dwight) Bretsch of Belleville, Ill., Patricia (Howard) Rackley of Disputanta, Va., Barbara (Tony) Yeager of Edwardsville, Ill., Dennis (Susan) Diehl of Swansea, Ill., and Peggy (David) Roche of Belleville, Ill.; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Jack (Jeanette) Zinkan; a sister-in-law, Shirley Zinkan; and two nephews, Allen Schott and Robert Schott.

Thank you, Dad, for all your support, love, and encouragement, and for all the fun in the kitchen.

Bob's family would like to thank the staff and special people at St. Paul's for all the love and support given to Dad.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Home, 1021 West E St., Belleville, Ill., 62220. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral procession will leave at 9:45 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, from George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, Ill., for a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Luke's Catholic Church, Belleville, Ill., with Fr. Nicholas Junker officiating. Burial will be Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, Ill.

GEORGE RENNER & SONS FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, Ill.