Eric B. Diefenbach

Eric B. Diefenbach, 54, of 127 Karen Ann Lane, Carrier Mills, IL died Sunday August 10, 2014 at 8:30 pm at Harrisburg Medical Center. Funeral services will be held Saturday August 16, 2014 at 12 noon at Felty Funeral Home in Carrier Mills, IL. Visitation will be held Friday from 5 to 7 pm and Saturday prior to service. Reverend Richard Graham will officiate. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. He was born on October 7, 1959 in Harrisburg, IL to Leroy Diefenbach and the late Norma (Gulley) Diefenbach. He married his best friend the former Anita Rabourn on May 5, 1984 and she survives.  Eric was a local and world history buff and avid reader, who knew trivia facts of all sorts. He enjoyed working with his hands, building his own home in 1981 and crafting skillfully made bookshelves, frames, once a dollhouse and even a canoe. His love of nature brought him hobbies including morel mushroom hunting, canoeing, and hunting for arrowheads and other artifacts in freshly plowed fields. Recently he became interested in wine making, giving friends and family most of the bottles. It should be noted that Eric was a Cubs fan, he believed in rooting for the home team. Live music has always been something Eric enjoyed, he and Anita were at the original Farm Aid Concert in 1985 and then at Farm Aid again in 2009 with family and a large group of friends. His son was gifted with musical talent and he was fortunate enough to watch him perform at several events. He attended concerts with his daughter as well. The Carpenters Union 638 out of Marion, was lucky to have him as a member for 25 years. He took pride in his work and had an eye for detail. Eric was a wonderful father who was proud of his children and a loving husband to his wife. He was a very supportive, sweet, humble man who never asked for a lot but was willing to give whatever was needed. Eric was a quiet man, but when he spoke, you knew he had something to say that was worth hearing.  He is survived by his Wife: Anita Diefenbach of Carrier Mills, IL; 2 beautiful children: Sarah Elizabeth Diefenbach of Carbondale, IL and Neil Thomas Diefenbach of Carrier Mills, IL; Father and Step Mother: Leroy and Betty Diefenbach of Carrier Mills, IL; 3 Brothers: Denver Diefenbach and Steve (Rita) Diefenbach both of Carrier Mills, IL and David (Libby) Diefenbach of Stonefort, IL; 2 Sisters: Dr. Karen Diefenbach and her Husband: Dr. Kevin Trueblood of Columbus, OH and Mary Owens of Harrisburg, IL and several special Nieces and Nephews. He was preceded in death by his Mother: Norma Diefenbach and Mother In Law: Pat Clardy.