Mr. Edward John Diekhoff Jr.

Born in 1938 in Indianapolis to parents, Edward J Diekhoff and Loretta Zapfe Diekhoff, he attended Little Flower and then Holy Name grade schools and then Cathedral High School, where he graduated in 1956. He met his wife, Naomi, when she was selling raffle tickets at a football game between their rival schools, Manual and Cathedral. Marriage and four children would follow.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing as a young man, then softball as a father and husband. He was active in Holy Name Men’s Club, volunteered with the Boy Scouts Troop 108 and coached CYO sports at Holy Name while his children were growing up. He was a member of Knights of Columbus. An avid Roncalli High School supporter, he would attend home football games for many years. He was a regional chess champion in Bell Telephone tournaments.

After a long career at Bell Telephone, his retirement renewed a participation in the game of golf, playing many courses around the country. He was proud of his hole-in-one. “Just call me Ace.”

The great love of his late life was spending time with his wife, Naomi, and the four children, 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He lived for birthdays, holidays and family reunions. He attended all the many athletic, musical and scholastic events of the children and grandchildren over the many decades.

A team player, he had groups of retired friends he would often meet for breakfast, lunch or at reunions. Their friendship meant everything to him.

Even in his waning days, he demonstrated fight and a will to carry on, saying, “I’ve still got things to do.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Richard E. Diekhoff and sister, Doris Sullivan. He is survived by his wife, Naomi, his sister, Barbara Laudick , his children, Edward (Vanessa), Mark, Dana (David) and Daniel (Nicole). He leaves a legacy of 13 grandchildren (Joe, Ally, Ben and Emma Diekhoff; Katie, Sean, Megan and Erin Sullivan; Brice, Cam, Ava, Roman and Gunnar Diekhoff) and eight, soon to be nine great grandchildren (Addie, Teddy and Jane Diekhoff; Nora and Claire Barcroft, little brother on the way; Maeve and Callan Sullivan; and Kit Diekhoff).

Memorials may be sent to Riley Hospital for Children.

Edward’s family wish to extend sincere thanks to Community Hospice.

A public visitation will be held at Little & Sons Funeral Home, located at 1301 Main St, Beech Grove, Indiana, 46107, on November 4, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

The funeral mass is scheduled to take place at Holy Name Catholic Church, 89 N 17th Ave, Beech Grove, Indiana, 46107, on November 5, 2025, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, 435 W Troy Ave, Indianapolis, IN, 46217, on November 5, 2025.