John Christian Diehl

February 10, 1953 - April 24, 2022

John Christian Diehl, 69, of Millstadt, Illinois passed away on April 24th, 2022. He was born February 10th, 1953, in St. Louis, Missouri to his parents; Albert H. and Edna Mae (Edwards) Diehl. John often reflected fondly on his formative years, where he was surrounded by siblings and friends on the family’s farm. John was a tremendous athlete as a child and found great success as a baseball player in high school. John was captivated by his father and his abilities as a horticulturist, farmer, and businessman, and those experiences as a child fueled his passions as an adult. John stayed in the family business, growing fields of chrysanthemums and also operating Diehl’s Roadside Market, where he sold vegetables, fruit, and plants that he and his family grew on the farm. John was later employed by Lumiere Place Casino, where he worked for 15 years. John certainly had a green thumb, enjoyed the smell of dirt, and later in life the dozens of hummingbirds that kept him company on his deck. Through his life, he enjoyed tending to his garden, fishing, golfing, and most of all, spending time with his family. Surviving is his daughter, Natalie (Adam) Swearingin, son, Nick Diehl, sisters; Cindy (Tom) Frierdich and Fran (Allen) Whittenborn, brothers; Clark Diehl, Dennis (Jeannie) Diehl, and Albert (Mary) Diehl, grandchildren; Parker and Mattie Swearingin and Hazel and Maeve Diehl, as well as several nieces, nephews, and other friends and family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Tracy (Podhrasky) Diehl, son, Nathan Diehl, and parents, Albert and Edna Mae Diehl. Visitation will be Saturday, April 30th from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm with services beginning at 12:00 pm at Leesman Funeral Home in Columbia, Illinois. In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to the family. For more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were handled by Leesman Funeral Home.