WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
LeRoy E. “Corky” Diekman Jr., age 59, of Elkhart, Ind., passed away unexpectedly Friday Aug. 19, 2011, at his home.
He was born Jan. 6, 1952, in Sturgis, a son of the late LeRoy Edward and Pauline Marie (Mann) Diekman.
LeRoy had resided in Elkhart since the age of 18. His earlier life was lived in Centreville, and he was a graduate of Centreville High School with the class of 1970.
He retired from Chore-Time Brock in Milford, Ind., following several years of employment as manager of the transportation department. He had also worked as a corporate pilot for several area companies.
Corky loved flying and anything aviation related. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping, the western states especially the mountains and he was a fan of NASCAR.
He is survived by two sisters, Destany Dee (George) Clementz of Centreville and Penelope Kay (Thomas) Kimble of Three Rivers; his nieces and nephews, John W. (Shawna) Zierle of Sturgis, Brett V. (Candy) Zierle of Sturgis, James A. (Karin) Morris of Sandpoint, Idaho, Shawn W. (Leah) Morris of Sturgis and Kimberly (Larry) Bell of Constantine; great nieces and nephews, Brittany Adams, Brenden Morris, Austin Morris, Ashlyne Zierle and Austin Brooke.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 1-2:45 p.m. Saturday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis.
A memorial service celebrating the life of LeRoy “Corky” Diekman Jr. will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. The Rev. James McClimans of the Three Rivers Church of God will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at the Nottawa Cemetery in Nottawa.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Diekman’s memory consider the National MS Society, P.O. Box 4527, New York, NY 10163 or National Spinal Cord Injury Association c/o: Heymann, Suissa & Stone, 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Suite 120, Jackson Heights, NY 11370 or Mary Free Bed Hospital, 235 Wealthy SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
