Obituary of George W. Diem

George W. Diem, age 90, died August 7 at his home in Pitman. Born in East Lansdowne, PA, he was a graduate of Bartram High School in Philadelphia in 1941 and Kent State University in Ohio in 1950. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Navy from 1942-48. He was employed by RCA for 15 years, and retired as the Comptroller for the Army Corps of Engineers in Philadelphia in 1984. George was a member of the Elwood Kindle American Legion Post #49 (Pitman), served as the County Commander and the State Commander from 1994-95, and was involved in Operation Standdown. He was a 57 year member of the Pitman Masonic Lodge #197 F. & A.M., a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Pitman, and the Pitman Memorial VWF Post. He was a State Representative of Veterans Affairs under the administrations of Gov. Florio and Whitman. He served as a member of the Centennial Committee for the borough of Pitman, and was 4th of July Parade Grand Marshall in 1995 and again in 2009 with his late wife Pearl Diem. He served on the committee to establish a borough flag pole, and on the Cemetery Committee to establish a Veteran's Cemetery in Gloucester County. George was involved in politics, running for election as both a council and mayoral candidate. He travelled all of the United States. Predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Pearl Barth Diem and son Craig W. Diem. Survived by his daughters Lynne (Michael) Lowe, Deborah (Fred) Martin, and Mistinette (Harold) Dieter, grandchildren; Nicholas (Jennifer) and Thomas Lowe, Frederick III and Helen Rebecca Martin, Harold David III and Laura Dieter, great granddaughters Abigail and Madeline Lowe. Also survived by his brother Samuel Y. Diem and sister Ella Margerum. Friends may call on Sunday from 7 to 9PM in the KELLEY FUNERAL HOME, 125 Pitman Avenue, Pitman, NJ. Masonic service at 8PM, and American Legion Service 8:15PM. Friends may call on Monday from 9:45 to 10:45AM in the First Presbyterian Church of Pitman, 305 S. Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071. Funeral service at 11AM. Interment Gloucester County Veteran's Cemetery. Those desiring may make contributions to Glassboro Child Development Center, 31 S. Main Street, Glassboro, NJ 08028 or the First Presbyterian Church, 10 Wildwood Avenue, Pitman, NJ 08071. Memories may be shared at www.kelleyfhpitman.com.