I Love Reading Stories Like This But....

[Zoneboy]

There's more to it ( see the next post )


Vicksburg-area couple, high school sweethearts who wed 69 years ago, die a day apart

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VICKSBURG — Whether they were gardening, traveling, lending a hand to their community or raising their son, LaVerne and Alberta Diller did so side-by-side.

"Everything they did, they did together," said Tim Diller, the couple's son.

The high school sweethearts, who this summer celebrated their 69th anniversary, were seemingly inseparable, even in death.

LaVerne died Friday, the day after Alberta passed away, both at the couple's home at the Indian Lake Nazarene Conference Center near Vicksburg.

"It's unique and inspiring," Tim Diller said of his parents' passing. "It's almost like a storybook ending, to a storybook life."

Alberta Diller died of natural causes; LaVerne Diller had cancer, their son said. Both were 91 years old.

LaVerne Diller was born on May 18, 1920, to Dan and Maude Diller in St. Johns, north of Lansing. He spent 30 years with General Motors in Lansing, following his passion for workmanship.

"My dad did a lot of tinkering with tools, improving things around the house," Tim Diller said.

Alberta Diller was born a few weeks later, on June 12, to Archie and Iva Ovenden in rural Pompeii, north of St. Johns.

She would become a school teacher for more than 30 years, receiving her master's degree from Michigan State University. During the latter part of her career, she taught herself Spanish in order to better connect with the children of migrant workers she was teaching to read.

They began dating during their senior year in high school and were wed on June 21, 1942. The couple lived in house that LaVerne built himself, just south of St. Johns, where they raised their son.

Both Dillers were deeply involved with St. Johns Church of the Nazarene, LaVerne as treasurer and a member of the board for around 15 years, and Alberta as a teacher for both Sunday school and vacation Bible school.

The couple's dedication to their church stemmed from their strong religious values, instilled in them as children, Tim Diller said. "They were religious in their personalities," he said, "even before they joined the church."

The family would even follow the Church of the Nazarene General Assembly, traveling and attending the event every four years when it convened. They would turn their visits into full-fledged vacations, visiting different landmarks and attractions near whatever city in which the assembly was held.

One trip the Dillers were particularly fond of was the 1963 assembly meeting in Portland, Ore., visiting such places as Mt. Hood, Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland. "That was the biggest and best trip we ever had," Tim Diller said.

After the couple retired in 1978, they continued to travel, hitting 48 states and traveling internationally, including a missionary trip to Guatemala to construct a new church there. They spent several winters in Florida.

The Dillers had a number of other hobbies. LaVerne was an avid gardener and outdoors man, and picked up golf following his retirement."It was an excuse to go outside and enjoy the nice weather," his son said.

Alberta was a avid fan of history, and enjoyed collecting old dishes and dolls, especially items involving Shirley Temple. "My mom liked to collect everything," said her son. "(She) wanted to collect a doll from every country and a teaspoon from every country."

She also was a heavy reader, and especially enjoyed books about significant women in history.

Tim Diller said both of his parents imparted important lessons to him while growing up. His mother taught him to always look up and find answers for himself, while his father would challenge him to never give up.

"My dad told me I could do anything," he said. "If I was hesitant about something, he told me it couldn't be done, which would push me toward making it happen."

LaVerne and Alberta Diller are survived by their son, Timothy and his wife Carol; grandson, Timothy, Jr. and his wife Martha; granddaughter, Teresa Hayhoe and her husband David; and great-grandchildren, Dana and Adam Hayhoe.

A funeral service for the couple will be held 10 a.m. Saturday at the Eickoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Interment will follow at the North Star Cemetery in Lansing.

[Zoneboy]

Earlier today I was at a thrift store in NC and found some home-made gospel recordings this couple did in 1951-52. They were recorded onto flexi-discs and were lost or misplaced by the family. I called their son in Michigan to let him know that I had them and asked if he would like them back and of course he did since he no longer had any of the records they made. I was going to surprise him and just send them but luckily I verified the address because the one I found online had been changed. I told him no charge and that just reading about his parents was good enough for me and that we all should be so blessed.

[AB]

That was kind of you to send the discs, I'm sure the son was surprised and happy to get them.

[ponytail]

Nice story and what you did was really nice.