Max F. Diefenthaler

Max F. Diefenthaler, 86, of Decatur, died Thursday, September 17, 2009 in Liberty Village, Clinton. Max was born August 4, 1923, in Oconee, IL, the son of Frederick C. and Edna (Huffaker) Diefenthaler. An Elder in the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses West Decatur Congregation, Max took the lead in volunteer work for over 70 years for Jehovah's Witnesses. He had been employed at Rath Packing, Smith-Scharff, Prairie Paper Company and Decatur Paper House before he retired. Max will be remembered for his many Bible discourses that he gave at many conventions and assemblies of Jehovah's Witnesses. He married Martha A. Mitchell on August 23, 1947. Surviving is his wife, Martha of Decatur; daughter, Sandra (Bill) Fisher of Decatur; nephew, Fred (Darlene) Kelm of Monticello and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Max was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Helen Kelm. The family would like to thank Dr. Steven Goetter, the staff at Decatur Memorial Hospital and Liberty Village in Clinton for the loving care and concern given to Max and his family. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 pm Monday, September 21, 2009 at the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home. Funeral service: 10 am Tuesday, September 22, 2009 in the funeral home chapel. Interment will be in Rosemond Grove Cemetery, Rosamond, IL. Memorials: World Wide Work of Jehovah's Witnesses, Pana Community Hospital Foundation or American Diabetes Assn. The family of Max F. Diefenthaler is being served by the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe St. Decatur, IL 62526.