Edward Francis Diedrich
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79
12/17/1930
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3/22/2010
DeKalb, Ill.
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Edward Francis Diedrich, 79, of DeKalb, Ill., died peacefully on Monday, March 22, surrounded by his family. Diedrich was a celebrated attorney who dedicated a legal career to the practice of trial, civil, criminal and Appellate law that spanned more than 40 years. Diedrich began his legal career in 1960 as a staff attorney with the Chicago law firm of Morgan, Halligan & Lanoff. From 1964 to 1965, he served as Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois and Corporation Counsel and attorney for the City of DeKalb. In 1965, he opened Edward F. Diedrich & Associates, a private practice law firm in DeKalb. Diedrich practiced in the Illinois State Courts, the U.S. District Court, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
In addition to his extensive legal career, Diedrich was dedicated to educating the next generation of attorneys, having served as an instructor of law at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Lewis University College of Law, and Northern Illinois University School of Law. His service to legal education was instrumental in the establishment of the Northern Illinois University School of Law in 1979.
From 1953 to 1956, Diedrich was a commissioned officer in the United States Army as a member of the 101st Airborne Division and the Counter-Intelligence Corps. He also served as Team Supervisor of Refugee investigation in Germany.
Diedrich was an early member of the Stage Coach Players, a community theatre in DeKalb that is still in operation today. His long-standing commitment to community service also includes serving as a member of the Boards of Directors for Prairie State Legal Services; the Preservation of Egyptian Theatre in DeKalb; DeKalb County Fine Arts Association; and the Elwood House Committee, also in DeKalb. Diedrich played a key role in achieving National Register of Historic Places for the Egyptian Theatre in 1978 and Elwood House in 1975.
Diedrich was also a long-standing member of the Board of Directors for Benedictine College, Atchison, KS, which in 1993 awarded him with the College’s highest honor, the “Cross of the Order of St. Benedict”, for best exemplifying the traditions and philosophies of Benedictine College as demonstrated through his charitable support of, and outstanding service to the institution.
Diedrich is a 1948 graduate of De Kalb High School and in 1952 received a bachelor’s degree from St. Benedict’s University in Atchison, KS. He received his Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law in 1960. He is survived by his six daughters, Jean M. Diedrich, married to Dr. Steven Daube of Hinsdale, Ill.; Rebecca A. Smith, married to Mark Smith of Glen Ellyn, Ill.; Jennifer D. Diedrich of Tampa, Fla.; Trina M. Diedrich of Springfield, Ill.; Heidi F. Diedrich of Chicago, Ill.; and Kathryn M. Schafermeyer married to Jeffrey Schafermeyer of Yorkville, Ill.; grandsons Samuel D. Daube; Leo M. Daube; Jacob E. Smith; Zachary M. Smith; Jonathan S. Smith; Benjamin L. Schafermeyer; and granddaughters Hannah K. Schafermeyer; and Gabrielle M. Smith.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Dawn Marie Monnett Diedrich; grandson Ryan Mark Smith; brothers William Diedrich and Charles Diedrich; father William Diedrich; and mother Marie Diedrich.
He is survived by his brothers Tom Diedrich of DeKalb and Joe Diedrich of Hinckley, and his sisters Lucille Riordan of Lisle and Patricia Lynch of Westchester.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 25, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ronan-Moore Finch Funeral Home in DeKalb, Ill., with a wake service at 7:30 p.m. The visitation will continue at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 321 Pine Street, DeKalb, on Friday, March 26, at 9:30 a.m. with a funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. Father Kenneth Anderson will officiate. Burial with full military honors will immediately follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Sycamore Rd., De Kalb, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Benedictine College general fund c/o Director of Advancement, 1020 North Second St., Atchison, KS 66002. To send an online condolence visit: www.ronanmoorefinch.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 (815) 758-3841.
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Visitation:
Thursday, March 25, 2010
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Ronan-Moore Finch Funeral Home
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Mass:
Friday, March 26, 2010
10:30 a.m.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
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