Sam Diele

Sam Diele died peacefully in his home with family, on Thursday, March 17, 2016. He was born in Morley, Colorado on March 8, 1924, to Antonio Diele and Rosa DeLuca Diele. Same graduated from Trinidad High School in Colorado.

He spent time in the United States Army during World War II. He served in General Patton’s Third Army fighting the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to the United States in 1945. He then used his G.I. Bill and enrolled in Western State University in Gunnison, Colorado. There he met the love of his life, Lucille, his wife. They were married on August 20, 1949. They have been married 66 years and lived in Merced for 62 of those years.

They moved to Merced, California in 1954. They loved Merced and it became their home. They still live in the same home they bought in 1965 and raised their 5 children. Sam taught 31 years at Merced High School as a math teacher, football and basketball coach. In 1974 he was one of the first men to coach the Girls’ basketball team, and during his reign he led them to many conference championships. He truly loved teaching and his students. He touched many lives. He will be dearly missed.

Sam was very involved in the community. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elks Lodge, Italo American Lodge, California Retired Teachers, Merced Historical Society, Model A Club, AARP, Merced Theatre Foundation and the Central Presbyterian Church.

Sam loved to travel, ski, golf, play bridge with his wife, and he was also an avid 49er and Giants fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents Antonio and Rosa Diele, his brother Joe A. Diele, and 3 sisters Rose Regusa (of Colorado), Mary Wilson (of Texas) and Helen Bisculco (of Colorado).

He is survived by his sister Betty of Colorado, his wife Lucille; his children: Jayne Starn (Doug) of Hughson, Mark Diele (Claudia) of Rocklin, Greg Diele (Bernadine) of Merced, Sam Diele (Laura) of Merced, Martha Diele (Mark) of San Diego; and 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held Wednesday from 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B Street. A celebration of Sam’s life will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Central Presbyterian church, 1920 Canal Street. A private burial will be held at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery with full honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Presbyterian Church, Bristol Hospice, or to the charity of your choice.