Merritt A. "Red" Diefenback, 88, of Springfield, died at 8:41 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2012 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born February 27, 1923 in Springfield to Fred and Sarah Lorene Newell Diefenback. He married Viola L. Zeigler on August 7, 1965 and she preceded him in death on January 15, 2008. Also preceding him in death were his parents, three brothers and two sisters.
Survivors include one daughter Chrissy (Ken) Watters of Chatham; four step-children, Janet Wylde of Granite City, Gary McDowell of Belleville, Betty (Robert) Houston of Loami and Linda (Wade Martin) Hughes of Bowling Green, KY; eleven grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; one sister, Mary Ann Kamnick of Springfield and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Red was a resident of the Springfield area most of his life. He worked in maintenance at Fiat Allis and enjoyed woodworking, fishing and playing with his grandchildren.
Visitation: 10 a.m. - 12 noon, Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at Staab Funeral Home.
Funeral Service: 12 noon, Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at Staab Funeral Home with Reverend Wade Martin Hughes officiating. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to the American Cancer Society.