Edwin John Dietzel, 94, of Laurel, went home to be with the Lord on May 22, 2017 at Heritage House of Connersville.
Ed was born July 26, 1922 to John and Elizabeth (Becker) Dietzel at their home in Franklin County, Indiana. He attended Collitt School, graduating 8th grade in 1938. He walked 4 miles a day to attend school and attained perfect attendance several years. He began farming and auto mechanics with his older brother, Bill. In 1942, at age 20, he entered the US Army. He served as a truck driver with the 1213 Quartermaster Corps, serving in England for 3 years.
Upon his return from the Army, he married his fiancé, Gladys McQueen on January 15, 1946. He began farming, later moving to Cincinnati, Ohio to work at Globe Wernicke Company. They returned to Franklin County to farm and he also drove a school bus for the Franklin County School Corporation for 40 years. Upon his retirement there, he worked for the State of Indiana, Dept. of Natural Resources for 10 additional years. While there, he earned the “Intermittent Employee of the Year” award in 1995. While employed there, he was a friendly fixture in Metamora, steering the Ben Franklin III canal boat and taking care of the horses, Tony and Rex (among others) at Metamora State Canal.
His hobbies were antique cars, hunting, fishing, gardening and traveling. He always enjoyed meeting people and conversing and never met a stranger. In his later years, he enjoyed taking care of his constant companion, his miniature Chihuahua, Buddy.
He became a 50 year member of the Freemasons (Laurel Lodge No. 447) on January 7, 2005 and obtained his 32nd Degree Scottish Rite membership in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Survivors include his daughter, Linda Sue (Sebree), a granddaughter, Lauren Olivia (Prifogle) and her husband, Mark and a grandson Finley. He is also survived by his second wife, Ruby, whom he married October 1979 and her children, Chuck (Pauline) Riddell and Penny (Ron) Vail; grandchildren, Eddie (Rebecca) Vail, Trisha (John) Race, Christy Bonar, Tyler Vail, Angela (Tom) Kovach, Daniel (Jane) Riddell, John Riddell, Haley Riddell; several great grandchildren and five nieces and nephews, David (Rhonda) McQueen, Becky (Chuck) Lucas, Peggy McQueen, Kenny Downard and Ron (Jane) Downard.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Gladys, his brother, William Louis, his sister, Alma Marie (Downard), his son-in-law, Jim Sebree, brother-in-law, Glendon McQueen; a step-daughter, Brenda Bonar; several aunts, uncles and cousins and a myriad of friends.
Family & friends may visit from 5 until 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Ave., Brookville, where Masonic Memorial Services will begin at 7:00 P.M..
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Friday, May 26, 2017 at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home in Brookville. Burial with full military graveside honors will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery, Brookville.
Phillip & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Edwin Dietzel, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.