Eugene Harry Diebold

Eugene Harry Diebold was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on September 10, 1928. After a long, graceful battle with pancreatic cancer, he passed away peacefully, with family by his side on April 19, 2020 at 91 years old. Gene was greeted at the gates of Heaven by his first wife of 44 years, Doris, his son Steve, his parents Harry Diebold and Irene Bremer, his brother Richard Diebold and his sister, Kay Breimeyer.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jackie Diebold and his children, Nancy (Dave) Jarosch, Mary (Huntley) Burroughs, Mike (Tammy) Diebold, Dori (Mike) McKelvey. Gene is also survived by his grandchildren, Carrie (Geoff) Westman, Ryan Jarosch, Lisa (Gary) Walker, Cassie (Dharmesh) Patel, Jessica (Tiffany) Locasto, Sarah Diebold, Jason McKelvey and great grandchildren, Lauren, Matt, Jake and Meghan Westman, Andrew, Landon and Abigail Walker, Will Patel and Grayson Locasto. Gene is also preceded in death by his son-in-law, Alec Drayton.

Over the past 10 months of Gene’s fight with cancer, his family learned that he was not only among the kindest and most intelligent, but also so incredibly strong. When he was asked how he was doing, even as the cancer took over, he rarely ever complained and instead said, “I’m doing fine today”, when his family knew he wasn’t.

Gene was an incredible family man, always looking forward to family gatherings and could often be found at a sporting event for one of his kids, grandkids or great grandkids.

A devout Catholic, Gene was a member of St. Jude Parish in Grand Rapids for many years and more recently, a parishioner at St. Anthony of Padua.

He spent a long career at Howard Miller Clock Company in Zeeland, Michigan, and retired as the CFO.

After Gene’s retirement, he found joy in outdoor activities including sports, hunting and boating. Fitness was important to Gene, and even in his 90’s, he made sure to walk between 2-5 miles a day.

He enjoyed everything Notre Dame and was proud to be a football season ticket holder for over 50 years and basketball for over 40 years (despite sending two of his girls to Michigan State University).

Gene was a Detroit Tigers fan and often attended spring training games while living in Florida, and attending Whitecaps games when he was back in Michigan for the summer.

He loved to listen to Big Band music with Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman and Ray Conniff, amongst his favorites.

Gene will be greatly missed.

At this time, all services will be for the immediate family only. If you wish to make a donation in honor of Gene, please consider donating to Spectrum Health Foundation/Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation.