Dorothy (Fox) Diehl (91) formerly of Marissa, IL, passed away at Coulterville Care Center, on Monday, December 19th, 2011. The daughter of Earl Blanchard Fox and Rosetta Melissa (Boyle) Fox, she was born on August 23rd, 1920 in Oakdale, IL.

Having attended the public school system in Marissa, IL, she earned a Bachelors of Science in Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. For almost thirty years she was known and respected as Miss Fox to her many students and their families at Marissa Elementary School. During her teaching years, among her many pupils were the four children of the man she was to eventually marry.

Throughout the first fifty years of her life, Aunt Dorothy was cherished by her many nieces and nephews for the love and support she showed through multiple roles, including second mother, teacher, mentor, game player, cook, baker of pies, kitchen supervisor, and holiday enhancer. In 1970 she added the important new roles of wife and step-mother.

On January 2, 1970, she was united in marriage to Ed Diehl of Marissa, Illinois. They celebrated 19 plus years of marriage before his passing. Sharing a life-long love of music, they spent many hours sharing their talents with others, Dorothy at the piano, accompanying Ed’s beautiful bass voice.

Dorothy was an active, long-time member of the Marissa Presbyterian Church and had been a member of the Progressive Grange (New Athens). She was a teacher for the Marisa Public School System for many years and continued teaching those unable to read until her placement in the nursing home. She also worked at the Sonshine Corner in Marissa for many years.

She was preceded in death by her parents Earl Blanchard and Rosetta Melissa (Boyle) Fox, husband Edwin Diehl, step-children Pat (Diehl) Scott of Santa Clarita, CA, Kenneth Edward Diehl of Baldwin, IL, step-grandchild Tommy Venus of Sparta, Il, sister Mary Beth (Fox) Spence of Franklin, IN, brother James Robert Fox, Collinsville, IL, nieces Shirley (Fox) Brown and Alice (Fox) Spence, and nephew Earl Gordon Fox.

She is survived by: Step-Children: Professor Veronica (Diehl) Elias of Sherman Oaks, CA, and Betty (Diehl) Kling of O’Fallon, MO. Five step-grandchildren: Lawrence Madden Venus of Uruma City, Okinawa, Japan; David James Scott of Belleville, IL; Jennifer Scott of Santa Clarita, CA; Katie (Diehl) Macke of Marissa, IL and Jason Kling of Lee’s Summit, MO. Five great-grandchildren: Cindy (Venus) Meneses of Clovis, NM, Charles Venus of Uruma City, Okinawa, Quinn Macke of Sparta, IL, Avery Lydia Kling of Lee’s Summit, MO. and Mackenzie Casper Scott of Belleville, Il. She had two great, great grandchildren: Akina and Alek Kei of Clovis, NM.

Nieces and Nephews: Rita (Spence) Pavolka of Bloomington, IN, Donald Lee Spence of Mishawaka, IN, Steven A. Spence of Indianapolis, IN, and their sixteen children and grandchildren; Carole (Fox) Howell of Taylorville, IL, Richard Robert Fox of Glen Carbon, IL, Diane (Fox) Rathnow of Knoxville, TN, and Jim R Fox of Omaha, NB, and their thirty children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In addition Dorothy is survived by her fifteen cousins.

Visitation: Friends may call at Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in Marissa, IL on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm and at Marissa Presbyterian Church in Marissa, IL on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 from 10:00am to 11:00am.

Funeral: Services will be held at Marissa Presbyterian Church in Marissa, IL on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 11:00am with Rev. James Stark officiating.

Interment: Burial will be held at the Marissa Township Cemetery in Marissa, IL.

Memorials: Memorials may be made to Marissa Presbyterian Church or the American Alzheimer’s Association.

Heil-Schuessler Funeral Homes in Marissa, IL is in charge of arrangements.

1. Administrator says:

   06/30/2018 at 2:37 am

   I will always remember “Dorothy-Mom’s” caring and kindness for all those privileged to know her. Uppermost, I will always remember her steadfast faith in her God, who was her constant companion throughout all her days, and whom she loved above all.

   You are deeply missed by all of us, dear Mom, yet we are glad to know that you are with Our Father in Heaven and with all our departed family members and friends who have been waiting for you.

   God Bless you, dear Mom.

   Posted by: Veronica Diehl Elias – Sherman Oaks, CA – Stepdaughter Dec 26, 2011

   Reply
2. Administrator says:

   06/30/2018 at 2:37 am

   We were so sorry we did not make the services. We will remember her Always.

   Posted by: Carole,Lori,Michael,Lewie – Taylorville, IL – Niece Dec 28, 2011

   Reply