Valentine Diehl of Houston, TX died at the age of 101 on December 13, 2013. Val was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Mary Ann, his parents, George and Ursula, sisters and brothers Regina Brown, Clara Diehl, Mary Ann Philips, Nicholas and Fr. John Diehl. Val was born on October 31, 1912 and raised in Plantersville, Texas, then moved to Houston in 1936. The Knights of Columbus Council 2917, of which he became a member in 1936, was where Val loved to spend his time with his fellow Knights serving others. He became a Fourth Degree Knight in 1940. At his 100th birthday party many fellow Knights came to honor to him for his many years of dedicated service. Throughout his life, Val was a devout and active member of Christ the King Catholic Church where he served in numerous ways. He was a lector, commentator, parish council member, finance committee member, he served where he was needed. He volunteered to serve in the Navy in 1944. He served as Commander of Catholic War Veteran’s Post 1643 in 1948. He retired as a foreman after 42 years of service at Mission Mfg. Co/TRW. After his retirement he immediately began other service by volunteering at the North Main Food Pantry, where he worked until his late 80’s. Val’s life exemplified love, faith, honesty, integrity and patience. He blessed us each and every day by his example of strength, courage, love and patience.
Most residents and employees at St. Dominic Assisted Living, where he resided for the past 10 years, knew Val as sweet Pappa Diehl, the domino and ring toss champion. He loved his weekly bingo game, candy bars, and ice cream! He also loved to help lead the rosary every Friday with Sr. Ignatia and his friends, and he attended mass, Bible study and any activity he could—we are sure that is what kept him so “young”. He was blessed by his devoted caretaker, Norma who shared her love and daily dose of sunshine with Dad for many years. To name all the people that blessed his life would be impossible, but more than that how many people he blessed throughout his 101 years of life! He loved to fish, bowl, garden, and refinish furniture but most of his time was dedicated to family, faith and friends. He continued to teach us and bless our life each day. You could see the face of God in him and his smile radiated his love as he inspired and taught life lessons. He will be especially missed by his four daughters and their families—Mary Jo and Bruce Moffett and son Cory Watts, Valerie and Stormy Dowling and son Blake and family, Debbie and Mike Armstrong and children, Deann and Zac and his wife Kristen and great grandsons Caleb and Hudson, Barbara and Karl Fischer and their girls, Kayla, Anna and Carla.
Friends are invited to visitation with the family from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary recited by The Knights of Columbus Council 2917 at 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 16, 2013, in Warren Chapel, at St. Dominic Village, 2401 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77021. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 17, 2013, with the Very Reverend Norbert Maduzia, Jr., E.V., Celebrant, in Warren Chapel, followed by the Rite of Committal at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Val to St. Dominic Village, Attention: Ruth Stanley, 2401 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77021.
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