Warren L Diehl

Warren L. Diehl, 88, passed away on December 20, 2020 from natural causes. He was born on the family farm, November 28, 1932 in York County, Pennsylvania and died in Orlando, Florida at his home. He was the son of the late Leroy Daniel Diehl and the late Bernice Marie (Foulk) Diehl. Warren was the loving husband of Marilyn Forbes Diehl, the father of five children, Daniel L. Diehl, Debra J. Perry, Susan C. Bidwell, David L. Diehl and Alyson L. Diehl. He is survived by all of his children, 13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his three loving nephews and four loving nieces.

By God’s grace, he grew up in a loving Christian family of Lutherans. He was the baby of the family with an older brother, Richard, who died at age 16 from scarlet fever, and two sisters, Betty and Kathryn. The family attended Sunday School and church service every Sunday. Warren sang in the choir and taught the youth group Sunday School by the age of 16.

Warren attended a one-room school for eight grades with only 23 students and then West York High School. Where upon graduation, he won a scholarship in Industrial Engineering to Penn State University (PSU). After his father died during his second semester, he left college and enlisted in the Air Force in 1951. After training as a reconnaissance photographer, he flew on a B36 bomber for three years. While in the service, he did not attend church, but married Virginia (Jordan) Diehl in a base chapel. While in the Air Force they were blessed with the birth of a son, Daniel Lynn (1953) and two daughters, Debra Marie (1954) and Susan Carol (1955).

In 1956, he returned to PSU on the GI bill while working part-time. While he rarely attended church in State College, God did not abandon him. Even though he was on academic probation, he was still able to return to Penn State, which was a miracle and a blessing. Warren graduated as an Electrical Engineer in January 1959. While attending PSU his youngest son David Jordan (1959) joined the family.

While in school, he enlisted in the PA National Guard and received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. Even with this blessing, he failed to recognize God working in his life. Warren was a good example of a backslidden believer. Even though he knew Christ from his upbringing, he ignored the Truth.

The next year, he moved to Orlando with his family of 4 children and began working as an electrical engineer but still did not return to his faith journey. In 1965, he left Martin Marietta and became a Technical Instrument sales rep. There a coworker invited him and his family to Windermere Union Church who had a great pastor. They became involved with the church and he got back somewhat on track with God.

At the end of 1969, he was a successful sales engineer but decided to leave his job. In January 1970, he went to work for another manufacturer’s rep firm. Yet, as he did not acknowledge God working in his life, he was still unhappy.

Warren was rather independent at times and really wanted to go into business for himself. However, with four children in school and very little money, he thought there was no way. Yet, God is relentless when he has a plan.

First, the Vice President of one of his principals asked Warren to consider going out on his own. When Warren refused, the man told him to think about it. Next, a large company that had previously cancelled their contract with Warren’s previous employer asked him to represent their line.

Now God had his attention, but Warren still had no money to start a company. Although he had requested a draw, and the company said no, their sales manager called Warren that evening and offered him a retainer of $500 a month for six months. Though this was not enough to feed his family, God was not finished yet. So, Warren and his wife prayed for guidance. A few days later, a total stranger called to say he was a rep from Virginia with four good lines that needed a man to cover Florida. He offered Warren a $500 a month minimum and a shared commission.

Finally, Warren saw that God does not give up when He has a plan for you and he went to the bank for a $5,000 loan. The VP that he knew well told him that starting a business was too risky, but he could loan him that money if he was going to build a swimming pool. And he said they would not check on his progress. Warren walked out of the bank with $5000 in a new checking account for Datarep Inc. In August 1970, Datarep Inc. was born and Warren was on the road as an independent technical sales rep just as God had planned. Warren signed contracts with the original principal who had asked him to think about it, the company that offered him the retainer and the rep from Virginia. God always provides.

In 1974, Warren divorced his first wife. In 1979, he left the Windermere church to attend Presbyterian Church of the Lakes (PCOL). In 1980, he married Frances Ross Diehl, and they had a daughter, Alyson Lee. Later, he and Fran were divorced.

In 1985, he met Marilyn Forbes on a blind date. She was and is a devout Christian and a great prayer warrior. In 1998, they were happily married. It was a good marriage, which made him very grateful. In August 29, 2020 they celebrated their twenty-second wedding anniversary.

Also, in 1998, Warren sold the rep company and started an electrical consulting service company with his son David who still operates that company today, which is another great blessing.

In 1999, an interim pastor, the late Fred Fife suggested he attend the Lay Pastor Seminary being conducted by the Central Florida Presbytery. He enrolled the next day. He graduated in October 2001 and was commissioned as a Lay Pastor at PCOL under Ferdi Brits’ mentorship. Again, this was God’s direction and call with Warren loving every minute of it. In 2003, Warren was called to the Sorrento Presbyterian Church, where he served as the pastor for four years under the guidance of God and Pastor Ferdi.

Upon returning to full-time ministry at PCOL, he continued to teach Sunday School and sing in the choir. In 2009, he was called to lead the Monday night Bible Study, which he did until he died. Serving God and the PCOL congregation under Ferdi’s mentoring was a huge blessing that he cherished. Warren came to understand that all of his life was God’s plan for him even when he was ignoring God.

So, Warren concluded that his life lesson was to, “Know that God has a plan for your life and will guide you by His grace. Know that God is always faithful, and He is all Love. He cares for and loves you. Believe that and know it.”

Warren fully believed that Jesus died and was resurrected to reconcile himself and others to the Father. Jesus is Warren’s Lord and Savior. He believed without Jesus there is no way to know God. He saw this in his life every day. Because of God’s grace, Warren was able to love God with all his heart and soul and he strongly believed all of Psalm 23. Now he sees God face to face and can thank Him personally.