Gerald J. "Jerry" Diebel

Gerald J. Diebel age 68, of Grant Twp. near Elkton tragically lost his life Thursday afternoon, May 9, when he fell from a barn roof while doing what he loved, helping a relative or friend.

He was born September 6, 1945 in Bad Axe, the last of twelve children born to the late Henry and Viola (Rothfuss) Diebel. Jerry attended Laker High School, Class of 1963 and has lived in the Elkton area all his life.
On July 3, 1965, he was united in marriage to Sharon T. Adams at the Elkton Evangelical United Brethren Church. They raised their family on a little farm south of Elkton.

Jerry was a family man, he was in his glory when he had is family around, helping and making whatever they needed. He was an avid NASCAR fan; recording races that he couldn’t see live. In his earlier years, he was part of a pit crew at Owendale Speedway. Jerry also enjoyed camping and going to flea markets, as he could never pass up a good deal.
He was a member of the Elkton United Methodist Church and occasionally attended the Gagetown Church of the Nazarene with his daughter’s family.

Surviving are his wife, Sharon; three children, James (Donna) Diebel of Grant Twp., Julie (Stanley) Woodruff of Gagetown and Christine Pfeilstucker of Port Austin; eight grandchildren, Stanley (Jody), Nicholas, Amanda, Jamie, Ashlee, Lindsey, Allison and Jenna; five great grandchildren, Joshua, Hayleigh, Samara, Hayden and Edward; two sisters, Doris Web of Midland and Anabelle Ort of Brighton; sister-in-law, Jackie Diebel of Bad Axe and a brother-in-law, Bill Keiser of Midland

Preceding him in death were four brothers, Clayton, Bud, Willie and Leland Diebel and five sisters, Mildred Dietzel, Ruth Heckroth, Arlene Carroll, Mary Hale and Jean Keiser.

Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 13 at the Elkton United Methodist Church. Rev. Kyle Boils, pastor of the Gagetown Church of the Nazarene will officiate with burial in Colfax Twp Cemetery, Bad Axe.
Friends may call at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Elkton from 4 to 8 PM Sunday, 2 to 8 PM Monday and at the church after 10 AM Tuesday.
Memorials may be directed to the Gagetown Church of the Nazarene or the Elkton United Methodist Church