John Martin Deidiker
Graveside services for John Martin Deidiker, 79, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Deidiker passed away November 5, 2018 at his home.
He was born in Peace Valley, Missouri, the eldest son of Charles Herman and Nettie Lenora Ferguson Deidiker. John was a graduate of the West Plains High School Zizzer Class of 1957. He lettered in baseball all four years in high school and later spent many years involved in the American Legion baseball program in West Plains. He was especially known in high school and American Legion baseball for his powerful throws from deep centerfield to home plate. During high school he also received his radio electronic certificate from DeVry Institute. John spent most of his life doing what he enjoyed most, working as an announcer and sports broadcaster over local radio stations KWPM, KALM and other Ozark Radio Network Stations owned by Robert Neathery, and later with KHOM in West Plains. He was known throughout Howell and adjacent counties for his professional and upbeat way of bringing the news, sports and entertainment to the people of the Ozarks. Following his retirement from broadcasting, John worked as a dispatcher for the West Plains Police Department and Howell County 911. He also served on numerous boards, including the Senate Bill 40 Board, Howell County 911 and Harlin Museum. He continued his service to the community as a volunteer at Ozark Medical Center until the time of his illness. He enjoyed talking with and helping people. His knowledge of West Plains and Ozark history allowed him to talk about the Ozarks wherever he traveled. He was a member, twice president of the West Plains Chapter and a Lt. Governor of the Optimists International; a member and officer in the International Order of Odd Fellows in West Plains; and was a member of the West Plains American Legion Hall Post 23. John was a veteran of the United States Army, having served overseas as chief announcer with KANU Radio at Kagnew Station Asmara, Eretria, Ethiopia, East Africa. His honorable discharge as a Specialist 4 took place at Fort Irwin, California in 1964. He was married in 1963 to Johnnie Sue Walker of West Plains and to that union was born a son, Carl Ray Deidiker.
He is survived by his wife, Johnnie Sue; son, Carl Ray, both of the family home; his mother, Lenora, of West Plains; two brothers, Floyd Deidiker and wife, Pat, West Plains and Jim Deidiker and wife, Sue, Rogers, Arkansas; one aunt, Doris Deidiker, Farmington, Missouri; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and two great-great-nephews.
His father, two nieces and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Lorene Walker, preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. The family wishes to express their thanks to John’s doctors and the Riverways Hospice staff for providing such professional and attentive care.
SAMANTHA PIERCE
November 6, 2018 @ 1:37 pm
John was such a wonderful neighbor. I could sit and listen to him tell stories for hours. He will be deeply missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Johnnie and Carl and all of his family. You have lost a great man!
Amber(Cozort)Redburn
November 6, 2018 @ 5:00 pm
Johnnie, Carl, and the Deidiker Family,
We want to extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family upon the loss of John. I will always hear in his voice in my head from listening to the radio growing up here in West Plains..Wonderful memories of him. Also, he was a Huge Supporter of Corby which we greatly appreciated. Each one of you will be in our daily prayers/thoughts. May God comfort, encourage, and support each one of you through this difficult time. May God bless each one of you.
In Christian Love,
Tim, Amber(Cozort) and Corby Redburn
Royce and Julia Hopkins
November 6, 2018 @ 5:00 pm
So sad to hear of John’s passing .. may God comfort you in your time of sorrow.
Many Blessings,
Royce and Julia Hopkins
Keith & Nita Weaver
November 6, 2018 @ 7:20 pm
Johnnie Sue and Carl Ray,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you…
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14)
Steve Shemwell
November 6, 2018 @ 7:28 pm
I am so sorry to hear this news. Mr. Deidiker and his entire family are such wonderful people. I heard him so many times announcing the Zizzers. My condolences. Prayers of comfort and peace for the entire family.
Hassel and Alice Vandergriff
November 7, 2018 @ 2:18 pm
We are so sorry for your loss. We will be thinking of you and praying for you.
Bob Arnold
November 7, 2018 @ 6:47 pm
Johnnie, Shirley and I are so sorry to hear about the loss of your special helpmate. Our prayers go up for you and your son Carl. We are so thankful that you have your sister Katie and her husband Dave to help you and Carl through these difficult times.
Aaron Sims
November 7, 2018 @ 8:41 pm
Sorry to hear of the passing of one of the finest radio news men I ever heard, knew, or worked with. I will forever remember hearing him on the 12:15pm news as a youngster and then having the honor to work with Johnny Deidiker as part of my first job at KWPM. He gave me sound advice to enjoy what I was doing; it was easy to tell he loved his profession.
Prayers for comfort to the entire family.
Charlotte Hale Hensel
November 8, 2018 @ 8:09 am
Jim and family, Heart felt thoughts and prayers for you and your family in the passing of your brother John. We were neighbors for many years with fond memories. Time and distance does not change our memories, they transition with us. May you and your families find peace and comfort knowing John lived a life well lived.
Barbara Alsup
November 8, 2018 @ 11:02 am
Johnnie and Carl,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. John has been such an important voice in our community for many years. He will be missed! My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God grant you peace and comfort.
Kathy Weldon Langston
November 9, 2018 @ 3:36 pm
Dear Johnnie and Family, We were so sorry to hear of John’s passing. Will always remember his voice from the radio and Larry has many fond memories of him from high school. So glad you have Katie close. May God comfort you in this time. Much love, Kathy
Mike and Diana Pace
November 9, 2018 @ 8:08 pm
Our deepest sympathy. We are so sorry to hear of John’s passing. We have many fond memories of John from his radio days. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Bud and Marie Nale
November 10, 2018 @ 9:33 pm
So sorry about your loss. John was a great guy and will be missed by many. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Sharon Neathery
November 13, 2018 @ 2:19 pm
John was a devoted radio man and he will me missed by many. My prayer
and sympathy to the family.
Byron Decker
November 16, 2018 @ 11:11 am
Sorry for your loss. I feel privileged to have had the chance to know John. I’ll always remember him as having a smile, and a joke or a story that would make you smile too. This time of year, I always remember working a Christmas morning shift at KWPM. John surprised me by coming in to help with the morning news casts. We ditched the usual news intro that morning in favor of “Sleigh Ride”, and John started the news with a hearty Ho Ho Ho! My prayers are with you.