Marie Diffendarfer

Marie A. Diffendarfer, 84, a resident of Churubusco and widow of Homer A. Diffendarfer, passed away at 11:00 p. m. on Monday, January 24, 2011, at Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home in Fort Wayne.e e She had suffered an apparent brain hemorrhage on Thursday, and had been hospitalized since that time. Mrs. Diffendarfer was born in Smith Township on August 16, 1926, a daughter of Roy and Florence Alice (Raypole) Gordon.e She spent her formative years in the Churubusco-area, and graduated from Churubusco High School in 1944. On October 19, 1945 she was married in Columbia City to Homer A. Diffendarfer.e She lived all of her adult life in Churubusco, and had lived at her current home for over 40 years. As a young woman she was employed at General Electric in Fort Wayne, and was later employed in the town offices for the Town of Churubusco.e She enjoyed playing Euchre with her card club friends, served on the Churubusco election board for several years, and most importantly loved and cherished her family and friends.e She had also enjoyed spending several winters in Bradenton, Florida. Mr. Diffendarfer preceded her in death on April 1, 1978. The surviving relatives include her daughters Kay Lawrence of Churubusco and Sharon (Roy) Pepple of Sedalia, Col; four grandchildren Paula (Dave) Burke of Huntington, Scott (Robin) Minnick of Spencerville, Brian (Robin) Minnick of Butler and serving his fourth term in the Middle East with the USAF, and Shawn (Stacy) Pepple of Sedalia, Col; and six great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers Gene Gordon and Tony Gordon; a sister Jane Lesh; and by a granddaughter Nicole Pepple. Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Larry Smith, pastor of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, officiating. The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Friday from 2-4 and from 6-8 p. m. Interment will be in the Eel River Cemetery, south of Churubusco. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home, 5910 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne, INe 46804. ********************************************