Edward J. Diederich, age 82, passed away peacefully of natural causes while holding the hand of his wife of 62 years on January 28, 2023. He was a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Ed was a leader lineman for Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, CEI, in Concord Township for 27 years. He also spent over 22 years in both the Air Force and later the Air National Guard in the 160th/121st Air Refueling Wings out of Rickenbacker AFB, retiring as a Master Sergeant. He traveled to Wake Island, Greenland, Guam, Hawaii, Germany, Italy, Japan, and more in his time with the Guard. Ed was a talented mechanic, building and fixing cars and engines his entire life. He was known as “Mr. Fix It” in his Concord Township neighborhood and was well-known for his self-taught talent in creating or repairing anything. He was a lifelong boater, camper, fisherman, explorer, photographer, stained glass maker, woodworker, and history buff. When he retired, Ed and his wife Dorothy started a crafts business called “Sew ‘n Saw” and created beautiful handmade fabric and wood crafts. While at outdoor shows, Ed, dressed in a frontier craftsman costume, would demonstrate sewing on a 1800s pedal-powered sewing machine that he had rebuilt himself. In their late 60s, Ed and Dorothy joined a bluegrass band, Country Grass, where Ed learned to play the upright bass and was the group’s “roadie,” handling the equipment. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, George and Kathryn “Kay” Diederich, stepparents, Bill and Vi (Panno) Ferguson, brothers Bob and Greg, and grandson, Jacob. He leaves behind Dorothy, whom he accompanied to senior prom in 1960 and then married three months later. He also leaves behind four children – Jim, Mary Lupas (Alan), Ann, and Tom (Sue); five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Donations may be made in Edward Diederich’s name to Homes for Our Troops at www.hfotusa.org, an organization that builds specially adapted custom homes for wounded veterans. Air Force Honors and Interment will be at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery (Please meet at front entrance of the cemetery), 10175 Rawiga Road in Seville, Ohio, on Friday, May 19, 2023, at 12:45 p.m. followed by a reception luncheon at Gattozzi & Son Funeral Home, 12524 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland, Ohio. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GattozziandSon.com for the Diederich family.
