Steve Wayne Diekhoff
Steve Wayne Diekhoff
May 14, 1963 ~ July 13, 2013
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.
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May 14, 1963 ~ July 5, 2013
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.
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I regret that I will not available to celebrate Steve’s life with you and your family. Please know that I am thinking of your family and praying for your peace and comfort in this difficult time. I had the privilege of going to Cabo San Lucas with Steve a few years back, and that is how I will always remember him! God bless your family in the coming days.
I am so sorry for the entire family of Steve. What a great heart and spirit! I remember playing with him on the playground at Rockcreek. Having fun and laughing on those long bus rides all through school. Steve’s laugh and smile were the best! I pray for all of you! I wish you all peace during this time and forward. I will never forget him and his smile. Love Penney
I send my condolences to Steve’s family. I met Steve in golf class at Ball State and had many great times with him at school and afterward. I remember Steve spent a lot of time at my place at Ball State when he had a one bedroom upstairs apartment. We practice golf together, cooked out together, and went to carb day at Indianapolis 500. After Steve moved to Atlanta I stayed overnight with him when I had a job interview, and when he traveled to Indianapolis for the 500 race he stayed with me. Our lives went in different directions for many years and I finally caught up with Steve on Facebook. That’s where I learned of Steve’s illness and learned more about ALS. Just in the few years I spent with Steve, it is obvious by this note that he left lifelong impressions and great memories with me. God’s blessings in your coming days.
My deepest condolences to Steve’s family for their loss. This wonderful man was truly passionate in his life – a loving father, devout Catholic and a true friend. May his soul rest in peace with the Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven.
We are praying for all of you. Steve was an amazing person and so was his family. Your faith has been an inspiration, and your commitment to educating the public on ALS awareness has been unprecedented. We are here to help you in any way.
Prayers to all of Steve’s family. My heart goes out to you. I know he fought a long, hard battle. May he be at peace in heaven. Love Melissa Zahn & family
Our hearts and thoughts go out to the Diekhoffs at this very sad time in their family. Steve was a friend of Angie’s family for decades. He’ll always be remembered for setting off firecrackers and instigating mischief with the gaggle of kids at family outings at the Mick and Sanders homes for summer holidays. Steve was also Kerry’s fraternity brother in Sigma Chi at Ball Sate. Steve was a gregarious and courageous guy. He will always hold a special place in our hearts. Love and Light to his family.
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So sorry that I will not be able to attend the services for my old friend Steve. My thoughts and prayers are with all of his family and friends as they remember and celebrate his life. The popular Lincoln quote comes to mind as I see all of the comments and pictures on Facebook from his family and friends- “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” I think Steve got it. God Bless.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you. It’s been a long journey and now Steve is at peace. We hope your memories will support you at this time.
I remember Steve as a kind, funny and generous person, from many years ago…at East and at Ball State. Sorry I was unable to pay my respects in person. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family at this time.
My first ALS symptom occurred in 2016, but was diagnosed in 2018. I had severe symptoms ranging from shortness of breath, balance problems, couldn’t walk without a walker or a power chair, i had difficulty swallowing and fatigue. I was given medications which helped but only for a short burst of time, then I decided to try alternative measures and began on ALS Formula treatment from Aknni herbs centre, It has made a tremendous difference for me (Visit ww w. aknniherbscentre.c om). I had improved walking balance, increased appetite, muscle strength, improved eyesight and others.