Steve Diekhoff

GRAVESIDE SERVICES: 11:00 a.m. Saturday July 13, 2013 at St. Denis Catholic Cemetery in Jennings County. VISITATION: 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 7:45 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. FINAL RESTING PLACE: St. Denis Catholic Cemetery Stephen Wayne Diekhoff, 50, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2013, at his home, after a courageous 5-year battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Steve was born on May 14, 1963, in Columbus, IN, and graduated from Columbus East High School in 1981. He graduated from Ball State University in May 1985 with a BS in Marketing (Sales & Promotions). After college, Steve moved right to Atlanta, GA, and spent his whole career working for The Standard Register Company in sales. He was a proud member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, past President of the Sigma Chi Atlanta Alumni Chapter, longtime Chapter Advisor for the Sigma Chi Georgia Tech Chapter and Sigma Chi of the Year - Atlanta Alumni Chapter. Steve?s most cherished role was as a devoted and loving Dad to his daughters, Alice Jean and Alana Diekhoff. He was a loyal and dependable friend and was very active in his community, especially the ALS community. He was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, GA, where he taught in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program for many years. He founded the ALS Advocacy Team of Georgia, was an avid Georgia Tech football fan, was passionate about coaching kids soccer and basketball, enjoyed traveling, especially to Dude Ranches out West, and lake activities including boating and sailing. He enjoyed grilling on his deck with friends. Steve will be remembered for his passion, inspiration and spirit in the face of adversity. ALS was not able to take his positive attitude, sense of humor, smile or hope. His passion for ALS awareness (Team Diek) will live on in his loved ones and friends. Steve is survived by his daughters, Alice Jean Diekhoff and Alana Diekhoff; brother, Doug Diekhoff, North Vernon, IN; sister, Nancy Firestone; a niece, Nikki Firestone; a nephew, Alec Firestone of Tampa, FL; and parents, Maurice and Barb Diekhoff, Columbus, IN.

Steve Diekhoff

May 14, 1963 - July 5, 2013