James Edmond Dietsche, Jr.

James Edmond Dietsche, Jr., of Shiremanstown, passed away peacefully to be with the Lord on August 9, 2025. He was 83 years old. 

    James was born on September 11, 1941, in Elmira, New York, to Mary Service and James E. Dietsche, Sr.  He was the second of 4 children. His grandfather lived on a large horse farm in Geneseo, New York, where he learned to ride horseback and enjoyed fox hunting. He was a proud graduate of Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, VA, where he also played tuba in the marching band. In the early 60’s, James enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard as a radio operator. He was stationed on Sault Ste. Marie, MI, and Ketchikan, AK, among other places. He was honorably discharged in 1966.  

     James met Diana Lynn Stocum from Corning, New York, in 1970. They married on January 22, 1972. They had their first son, John Michael, in March of 1974, in Elmira, New York. James and Diana then moved to Mt. Holly Springs in 1976. Their second son, Thomas James, was born in September of 1977. The family moved to Penbrook in 1981, and their youngest son, James E. III, was born in July of 1982. The Dietsche family lived in Penbrook for 30 years and were very involved in their community. He and Diana moved to Shiremanstown in 2014. James became a member of Celebration Community Church in 2018. In 2022, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and moved to Country Meadows in Mechanicsburg in April of 2025. James was still a resident when he passed away. 

    James was employed with the Commonwealth of PA for nearly 30 years as a computer programmer. He loved to go camping and enjoyed playing with his computer whenever he had a chance. While living in Penbrook, he was a t-ball coach and a Cub Scout leader. He was an avid storyteller, loved history, politics, and was devoted to his wife and children. James was never easily angered, and his mild temperament was recognized by nurses and staff in the nursing home even as his disease progressed. 

   Remaining to cherish James’ memory are: his wife, Diana (Shiremanstown); sons John Michael and his wife Kristy (Jonesboro, AR), Thomas James and his wife Adrienne (Dillsburg), and James E. III and his wife Amy (Mechanicsburg); 12 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.  

     Preceding James in death are: his parents, Mary and James, Sr; his eldest sister, Susan; his youngest brother, Alan; and his grand-daughter, Jacqueline Marie. 

    Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 18th at Celebration Community Church, 1048 South Mountain Road, Dillsburg, PA 17019 with Visitation will be from 10am to 11am, with the Service beginning at 11am. Lunch will be served following the service. 

    Interment will be a private ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap on Tuesday, August 19th, 2025.  

    In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Celebration Community Church, 1048 S. Mountain Rd, Dillsburg, PA 17019.