Eugene J. Diephuis

Eugene Joseph Diephuis, 79, of Thomson, Illinois, died Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at Mercy Medical Center North, Clinton, Iowa. A funeral service will be held 11:30 a.m., Saturday, October 8, 2011 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, 1854 Illinois Route 84, Thomson. Burial will follow in the Lower York Cemetery, Thomson. Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m., prior to the service at the Funeral Home. A memorial fund has been established in Gene’s memory.
Gene was born on March 19, 1932, the son of Joseph and Dora (Meader) Diephuis in Clinton, Iowa. He attended Fulton High School, graduating with the Class of 1950. He married Donna Haas on September 1, 1957 in the Church of Christ, Clinton.
Gene worked at Clinton Corn for two years after graduation and then served his country in the United States Army for two years during the Korean War. After he was discharged, Gene went back to Clinton Corn as a Millwright Apprentice working there for an additional 30years. He then went to work for various other companies, such as International Harvester, Danisco and 2001 Construction. He was a former member of the Thomson American Legion. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially gardening, fishing and camping. Woodworking was his favorite hobby and he could fix anything. Gene also enjoyed spending time with his neighbors, “Burger Gang” and 500 Card Club friends. Most of all, Gene loved spending time with his family and his special canine companion, Cory.
Gene will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 54 years, Donna; one son Mark (Kristine) Diephuis of Savanna, Illinois; one daughter, Marla (Mike) Kozlowski of Phoenix, Arizona; two grandchildren, Shanna Diephuis of Madison, Wisconsin and Austen Diephuis of Savanna; and one half-brother, John Byers of Fulton, Illinois. Gene was preceded in death by his parents.