George Lewis Diehl Jr. of New Eagle passed away peacefully on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, in Mt. Vernon Nursing Home of Elizabeth. George was 87 years old. He was born in Smithton on April 21, 1932, the son of George and Margaret Franco Diehl. George was the older of two sons and is survived by his brother Kenneth Diehl. George was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 46 years, Miriam Estelle (Sphar) Diehl. He was a graduate of South Huntington High School and was a gifted athlete, playing both baseball and basketball. One of George’s most notable athletic achievements was playing third base for the 1950 Pennsylvania American Legion state champions. George served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, serving on both the U.S.S. Pocono and U.S.S. Fulton. Before retiring in 1993, he was employed as a storeroom clerk by Pages Wire and Steel Co. in Monessen and as office manager at West Penn Power Company’s Mitchell Power Station in New Eagle. George was a Mason belonging to Henry M. Phillips F.&A.M. Lodge 337. He also belonged to the Mid Mon Valley Shipmates USN and served as their chaplain for nearly five years. George was a member of First United Methodist Church of Monongahela. In addition to his brother, survivors include his two sons, Ernest F. (Rebecca) DeLuca Jr. of Donora and Jerry L (Annette) DeLuca of Bordentown, N.J.; grandchildren, Heather (Chris) DeLuca-Nestor of Morgantown W.Va., Adoreé DeLuca of Rockville, S.C., Nicholas (Sonja) Klus of Cleveland, Tenn., Steven (Alyssa) DeLuca of Pittsburgh, Scott DeLuca of Monongahela; great-grandchildren, Prestlea and Lakelynn Nestor, Geno and Robbie Klus, Giana DeLuca, Brandt DeLuca and Jackson DeLuca. George was truly a family man and his biggest joy came from spending time, and often traveling, with his wife and family. Walt Disney World was a family favorite and George took his family and grandchildren five different times to visit Mickey in Orlando. Other favorite destinations for George and his wife included Las Vegas and Hawaii. Later in life, George and Dorothy Cowan found comfort and love in each other’s company. George often attended services at First Christian Church of Monongahela with Dorothy. He and Dorothy were excellent dancers and they danced at every opportunity. Clearwater, Fla., became a new favorite destination for George and Dorothy. Friends will be received at FRYE FUNERAL HOME INC., Pamela F. DeRose and Karlee R. Ferguson, funeral directors, 427 W. Main St., Monongahela, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22. Funeral services will be held at Frye Funeral Home Inc. at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23, with the Rev. Jude Urso officiating. The Mid Mon Valley Shipmates will have a two-bell ceremony in the funeral home at 3 p.m. Thursday, and at 7:30 p.m. the members of F.&A.M. Lodge 337 will conduct their Masonic service. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery with U.S. Navy military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mid Mon Valley Shipmates, c/o James Caldwell, 2112 Route 481, Monongahela, PA 15063.
