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Joseph Diffenderfer Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Diffenderfer
Lorry
July 2, 2022
I'm Joe Diffenderfer's oldest child. I love the stories shared here. Just got an email of the anniversary of his passing. Especially from Gretchen. I remember you! I spent more time as a little girl at my Nana Diffenderfer's house than I did my own, I think. I remember my great-grandmother being there too. My Nana was my hero and my best friend. I got married in her wedding dress. If anybody sees this and you might have a picture of her I'd love to see it. Or hear the old stories. I'll never forget 535 Walnut Street. Pop Pop taught me how to "skin the cat" on the fence rail. I slid down the cellar door a million times. I was always fascinated by the books in the book case in the living room, and when i got older, Nana gave me one. It's a prized possession.
My email is [email protected]
Would love to hear more of the old stories.
Gretchen Schwarz
December 22, 2020
Joe was my cousin; the son of my mother's only sibling, Margaret McKeever Diffenderfer. My sister and I called her "Honey." She and her husband, Joe's dad Bill Diffenderfer lived with her widowed mother, Sarah Jane Edgar McKeever, and we visited a few times a week, spent Christmas day there every year, and have very fond memories of being in that house. One special spot was Joe's chair across from the TV. I always tried to grab that. He was 8 years older than I, so I learned about a few things from him; for instance, he was an avid reader of Mad magazine, and I had never seen anything like that before! We lost touch when I moved out of the country after graduation. I know that he had a number of children and I remember his first daughter, Lorry. Many years later, when I was in town visiting for Christmas, we dropped by the house and found out that Joe had a daughter Michelle who was the same age as my daughter Lindsay, so they played together! That is the last memory I have of being in that house. I think Joe and I spoke on the phone after that. It's kind of sad that we didn't keep in touch over the years, and I just happened to run across this obituary. I would love to hear from any of Joe's children!
George Young
July 3, 2019
We were close as cousins in our younger days
Dan Wilson
December 29, 2016
Joe was a second cousin that I never met, and now I've just learned that he's passed away. The distance between Catty and Arizona made visits impractical, but I gather from the other postings here that he was well-loved and greatly appreciated.
Joe's grandmother, Elizabeth Wilson McKeever was a daughter of my great grandfather, Jim Wilson who lived on N. 2nd Street next to what is now Candy Cane Park. I regret we never met, but I send my condolences to Matt and the family.
Jungle Jim
August 24, 2016
For a short time we were a Band of Brothers making radio history. Always a pro and ready with a joke. RIP my friend.
Richard Ochs
July 25, 2016
Although we couldn't make it to Alburtis,
our prayers and thoughts are with his family.Tiger Joe was an intregal part of the good old days of top 40 radio, when there were real personalities behind the microphones. Who could forget the weekly top 40 playlist, available at Speedy's at 6th & Hamilton. It was always a thrill to meet the DJs, putting a face with the voice. RIP, Tiger Joe.
Richard & Darlene Ochs
Walnutport, PA
Lorry
July 24, 2016
RIP. Without you I wouldn't be here.
July 23, 2016
Tiger Joe was always my fave area D.J. Still miss him on the radio. Gene Werley was my other fave. Oh and who could forget Banana Nose!!! Such memories. RIP and condolences to all Joe's family.
Mat Diffenderfer
July 23, 2016
Mat Diffenderfer
July 23, 2016
"Tiger Joe" was my father. Only I didn't know him as "Tiger Joe". Or at least the "Tiger Joe" that many of you have spoken of. I do, however, recall the times that we went to the radio station with him. I can remember just being in awe of all the equipment and the pulse inside of a radio station that the regular person doesn't ever get the chance to see. The thought of talking into something resembling a soup can and it sending a voice out to thousands of people was just crazy to me as a kid. Mostly I remember WLEV and WMUH.
With WLEV, I remember going to Musikfest and going inside the official WLEV trailer parked there. I recall putting on the head of the mascot of WLEV, the Lion. As a little kid that was one of the highlights of my summer every year. Every year for my birthday, I would get to call the station and request a song. The only one can remember is "River Of Dreams" by Billy Joel when I turned 10.
With WMUH, I remember him working there on Saturday mornings and sometimes taking me along. Every so often I actually got to talk to the masses into that soup can looking device. I was the coolest kid on the planet in my mind.
Those are my memories of "Tiger Joe". Only I just called him dad.
Gary Wright
July 22, 2016
In the late 50's and early 60's ; I was the only kid on my block lucky enough to have a transistor radio. It was a fun time as the kids on my block would gather on my porch and we would spend hours listing and dancing to Tiger Joe as he would spin records on WAEB! Later on when Joe was on WSAN I would again enjoy his classic rock show as he played many rareities that I had remembered hearing only once in a while! Tiger Joe created a wonderful escape from reality for me! Rest in peace Joe, you remain fondly in my memory!
BILL SELLERS
July 22, 2016
Rest in Peace "Tiger Joe"; one of the classiest DJ's from the golden Age of AM radio. Your days at WAEB with the crew were treaures>
Gene Werley
July 22, 2016
Joe was one of my favorite disc jockeys to listen to when I was in high school in Slatington...never imagining that I would later work with hi at 3 different Lehigh Valley radio stations. After spending the first 10 years of my broadcasting career in stations all over the country, when I wanted to come back to the Lehigh Valley I called Joe and he talked Bob Ackley into hiring me at WAEB. We later worked together at WSAN during the billboard-sittig contest and then later at WLEV. I learned a lot from Joe and was thrilled when allowed me to revive one of his most popular ultra-ego charactiers, Banana Nose Banorra for my Fearless, Flawless Friday Football Forecasts. Writing those scripts for Joe and then later assuming the BNB voicing duties too is still one of my favorite memories of my time with Joe. Joe had incredible music and raio knowledge and loads of talent...and so humble too, that I believe he might not have even realized just how valuable he was to the local radio industry.
Sara Swanson
July 20, 2016
Dear Corby, Michelle, Matthew & Michael. We knew Joe for many years and are so sad to hear of his passing. Of course, I remember Joe from his early days on WAEB as I was from the area. My husband, Joe, was his best man back in the 80's and they worked together at WEZV and WMUH. We wish you peace. Love, Sara & Joe Swanson
Rod Wolfe
July 20, 2016
Joe was assigned, by Jay Sands, to train me for my first radio job. It was June of 1966, and of all the Lehigh Valley DJs from the 1950s and 60's, Joe was my favorite. To me he was the Valley's version of Joey Reynolds. Unbelievable quick timing and sense of humor.
I remember listening to him before he ruled the night time at WAEB. He was known as "Jim Dandy" at WHOL.
Wow, those were the days.
Another part of the Valley's music history has passed.
How about Tiger Joe out on the fire escape at 7th and Hamilton every night. He would be waving to all of us and urging us to blow our horns as we cruised downtown Allentown.
Oh, wow, memories flowing too fast...
Remember his vocal version of "Red Roses For A Blue Lady"? I would call Marge at Speedy's Records every week to try and buy a copy. Well of course he only had it on tape at WAEB and it was never released.
Or how about the real record label he started in 1967? Along with Bob Kratz, Craig Kinkaid and Jim Merrel. It was called "Integra" records and their biggest release was "Shame" by the King's Ransom.
Wow Tiger Joe, thanks for so many great memories!
Steve Kelly Kowalski
July 17, 2016
Joe was a major influence on me when I got into radio at WFMZ and WKAP. I'm saddened to hear of his passing. Rest in Peace, Tiger Joe. And I hope to see you again someday and hear you say "Hiya, hiya, hiya!!" ....
WAEB Survey with Joe McLaine
Neal Stevens
July 17, 2016
July 17, 2016
Joe was my supervisor at WAEB from 1970-72 when I was an intern there. He was a very kind and generous man. One saturday, we did a marathon walk for either the heart association or some other charity and we walked over 20 miles, winding up at the fairgrounds.
He was a very kind and generous man, and he will be missed.
Take care Joe, and thanks for both the music and the memories
R.I.P "Tiger Joe"
Michael McKenna
July 17, 2016
Joe was in my fathers unit in the National Guard, the 213th Artillery at 15th & Allen...I met him in the late 60's at WAEB and worked with him at WXKW! R.I.P.Tiger Joe!
Glen Longenhagen
July 17, 2016
My condolences on Joes passing. I worked with him at WLEV rafio many years ago. You have my prayers...he will be missed.
70th birthday at WFMZ
Corby Street
July 17, 2016
Brian McKitttick
July 17, 2016
Knew Joe from his times at WAEB & WSAN, Catty Guy who lived on Walnut St, in Catasauqua RIP Joe, prayers are with the family.
Joyce Schaffer
July 16, 2016
I'm also from Catty, joes hometown. When Joe was on air at waeb, we would call him every night just to talk. At dances he would pick me to go on stage with his guest artist. I was one of the girls in the back seat, kissing and hugging with Fred. Thanks for all the memories Joe. RIP
July 16, 2016
So very sorry to learn of Joe's passing. It was a joy to work with him at WSAN 'back in the day' and to listen to him on WAEB. Rest in peace, old friend.
Neal Stevens
July 16, 2016
Very sad to learn of Joe's passing. A great guy and the best DJ in the Lehigh Valley. I worked with Joe at WAEB. RIP Joe.
Tommy Zito
July 16, 2016
I worked with Joe many times in the 60s and 70s at Lehigh Valley nightclubs and restaurants as did practically all of the local bands in the area...He had an offbeat sense of humor that many people never knew about...He will be missed....RIP Joe...Tommy Zito,member of Uproar and Magnum
jim saunders
July 16, 2016
A really great guy, completely dedicated to entertaining his listeners. I became acquainted with Tiger Joe in the late fifties, early 60's, hearing him on my transistor radio when he was on WAEB. I remember putting my little radio inside the Plasticville radio station when I set up my train set around Christmas time, and listening to him for hours while I played with my trains. He inspired me to be on the radio and later on, I worked with him on WAEB in the late 60's, early 70's as a disc jockey and newsman. He was always kind, and helped me a lot to develop my voice and style. Rest in piece Joe!!
Jim Saunders
July 16, 2016
A really great guy, completely dedicated to entertaining his listeners. I became acquainted with Tiger Joe in the late fifties, early 60's, hearing him on my transistor radio when he was on WAEB. I remember putting my little radio inside the Plasticville radio station when I set up my train set around Christmas time, and listening to him for hours while I played with my trains. He inspired me to be on the radio and later on, I worked with him on WAEB in the late 60's, early 70's as a disc jockey and newsman. He was always kind, and helped me a lot to develop my voice and style. Rest in peace Joe!!
July 16, 2016
Grew up listening to Tiger Joe on my radio. RIP.
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