Callie Diehl Obituary (1920 - 2009)

Callie (C.J.) Diehl, 88 Harrisonburg Callie John (C.J.) Diehl, 88, a resident of 709 Stuart Street, Harrisonburg, died, Monday, January 26, 2009 at Bridgewater Nursing Home. Mr. Diehl was born on October 24, 1920 in Pleasant Valley, Virginia and was the son of the late William John and Pearl Pauline Baker Diehl. Mr. Diehl received his Bachelor?s and Masters Degrees from James Madison College and Virginia Polytechnic University. He started teaching at Mount Clinton High School, and then he was Principal at Tenth Legion. Mr. Diehl moved to the new Turner Ashby High School in 1956 when it opened teaching U.S. History. He retired in 1982 from the Rockingham County School System with 32 years of service teaching U.S. History and Industrial Cooperative Training. He was also charter advisor for the Turner Ashby Vocational Industrial Clubs of America Chapter. For the past 20 years, he worked for Harrisonburg Auto Auction. He worked part time for Whitsel?s Music selling pianos and organs. He, along with his wife Mary, operated the Coin Laundry on South Main Street for many years. He served in the United States Army as a Tech. Sergeant in World War II. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and West Rockingham Ruritans. He was a member the St. Stephen?s United Church of Christ. On February 2, 1943, he married the former Mary Lillian Garber, who survives. In addition to his wife of 66 years, family members include, two sons, Lary G. Diehl and wife Carol, Hampton and Gary M. Diehl of Sterling; five grandchildren, Andrew Diehl and wife Carla, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Steven Diehl and wife Alicia, Goochland, Patricia Winters and husband Jason, Annapolis, Maryland, Amy Diehl, Richmond, Adam Diehl and wife Niki, Ashburn; three great-grandchildren, Emma Callie Nicole Diehl, Jacob William Diehl, and Colby Mitchell Winters; and one sister, Fanny Diehls of Fort Meyers, Florida. Reverends Tresa F. Quarles and Lary Diehl will conduct a graveside service on Thursday morning at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Cemetery. A memorial service will be held later that evening at 7 p.m. at St. Stephen?s United Church of Christ in Harrisonburg. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at McMullen Funeral Home in Harrisonburg. The casket will be closed. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stephen?s United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 109, Harrisonburg, Va. 22803. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mcmullenfh.com