Arlene Marie Diehl

Arlene Marie Diehl, 90, of Freeport, passed away, Tuesday January 16, 2024, in her home, surrounded by love with family, and caregiver for the last four years, granddaughter Edie. She was born April 13, 1933, in Freeport, Illinois, the daughter, of David H. and Cecil M. (Frederick) Stoner. Arlene graduated from Lanark High School in 1951. She married Mervin Lee Diehl on April 12, 1951 in Shannon, Illinois. He died March 21, 2020. Her employment included Burgess Battery, Garrity Drug and Micro Switch, where she retired after 20 years.

Arlene enjoyed being with all of her family, sending her grandchildren home spoiled. Neighborhood coffee clutches and gatherings since 1953, and watching Little League games across the street.

Surviving are her daughter, Larae (Jeff) Castle of Freeport; granddaughter, Edie (Frederick) Lee; three great-grandchildren, Dominic J. Olson, Belzora Lee and Dwayne Lee; two great-great grandchildren, Adaiah and SaRia Lee; extended family, Chris (Tiffany) Scheider and their daughters, Audrey and Vivian; Phil (Rachel) Jansen and their family Bray, Colton, Hailey, Braedyn; sister, Janice (Jim) Dillow of Shannon, Illinois. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, parents, mother and father-in-law, Merle and Edith (DeWall) Diehl; sister, Ardis (Les) Smith; and two brothers, Orris Stoner and Robert (Dorothy) Stoner.

Funeral service will be Monday, January 22, 2024 1:00 P.M. in Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home, Freeport. Rev. Ken Lawson will officiate. Visitation will be from noon until time of service. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Arlene was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when she was 20 years old, having it for seventy years, all memorials will be donated to the MS foundation in her memory.