Elwin Henry Diehl, the son of Stevens and Alice (Asman) Diehl was born July 9, 1921 near Hawthorne in Montgomery County, Iowa. He passed away on Friday, December 4, 2015 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 94 years, 4 months and 25 days.

Elwin attended country school at Garfield #8 before beginning high school at Emerson, Iowa. After the family moved near Climax, Elwin attended Red Oak High School, graduating in 1939. Following graduation, Elwin joined the National Guard, Company M 168th Infantry. In February of 1941, Company M was called to service during World War II. Early in 1942, Company M was deployed to Ireland, then Scotland, and then to England. After combining with other troops, their destination was soon Algeria in North Africa. While fighting in North Africa, Elwin, along with many soldiers of Company M was captured by the Germans and held as POWs for the next 26 months. On September 30, 1945, Elwin was honorably discharged from the US Army. He returned to Red Oak and began farming south of Emerson. Elwin was united in marriage to Carolyn R. Erickson on February 26, 1948 at Rockport, Missouri. Elwin continued to farm for the next 8 years, before he and Carolyn made their home in Red Oak. For 30 years, Elwin worked numerous positions with Burlington Northern Railroad, before retiring in 1986. Elwin was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Red Oak, a lifetime member of VFW Darwin Merritt Post #226 of Red Oak, a member of the American Legion Levi Burton Post #575 of Emerson, the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Court of Honor, and Masonic Lodge #378. Elwin was very passionate about WW II history, reading many books about the war.

Elwin was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carolyn on January 16, 1996; and two brothers: Wayne and Scott.

Elwin is survived by his daughter, Connie McCormick and husband Joe of Red Oak, IA; three step-grandchildren: Tamara McCormick, Stephanie McGregor and Andrea Ritter; seven step-great grandchildren; one step-great-great granddaughter; two sisters: Mildred "Milly" Connell of Red Oak, IA and Carolyn Reubenking of Red Oak, IA; and brother, Gilbert Diehl of Midland, MI; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.
At Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home
Rev. Gary Walters, Officiating
Burial with Military Rites at Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak, Iowa

Visitation with the family present on Monday, December 7, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home

Memorials to the Red Oak Fire & Rescue Association or American Red Cross Blood Bank

Services entrusted to Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home