Henry M. Diener Sr., (Husband of Marilyn Diener, known for her scherenschnitte, and a long time member of our chapter) at age 92 passed away during the late hours of Monday, December 13, 2021, in the care of Reading Hospital. He was the loving husband of Marilyn R. (Gehman) married June 22, 1957 in Egner Hartzell Memorial Chapel- Muhlenberg College. They celebrated 64 years together. Born in West Reading to the late Paul A. and Katharine R. (Miller) Diener, Henry attended Mercersburg Acadamy, graduated from West Reading High School ’47 and later graduated from Kutztown Teacher’s College in 1957.
Henry proudly served in the PA Air National Guard, then the United States Air Force. He was assigned to the 148th Fighter Interceptor Squad stationed at Dover, DE during the Korean Conflict. He was a dedicated teacher for many years for Schuylkill Valley and Wilson School Districts. Henry was equally dedicated to serving his community. Very active in local politics and civically minded, he served for 24 years as an elected member of the Wyomissing Borough Council, and 6 years on Wyomissing School Board. Among the many committees he served were: Wyomissing Boy Scout Troop #413, Wyomissing Area School Authority, Berks Vo-tech, Berks E.I.T, Wyomissing Recreation Board, and Wyomissing Park & Shade Tree Commission. Henry was originator and first editor of The Wyomissing Citizen Borough Newsletter. He served as Judge of Election at 1st Precinct, Wyomissing and Republican Committeeman. ‘I have found ‘being involved’ rewarding with much personal satisfaction from meeting and dealing with people and problems.’
Over the years, he held memberships with: Friends of the Reading Museum. Berks Conservancy, Wyomissing Library Assn., Schuylkill River Greenery Assn., Reading Liederkranz (trustee), Evergreen Country Club, Hay Creek Foundation, Moravian Music Foundation, Lititz Historical Foundation, Berks Co. Historical Society, YR Club, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, PA Borough Assn., German Language Assn., PA Guild of Craftsman, Berks Guild of Craftsman, Wyomissing Fire Co., Newmanstown Fire Co., Lincoln Park Fire Co., and Victor Emmanuel’s.
Henry was officer and director of Diener Industries, Diener Knitting Mills, Diener-Chandler Mills, (Oklahoma) and Spring City Bleach & Dye Works. He also served as president of the former Iris Club, Wyomissing; Secretary-Treasurer of Wyomissing Lions Club, and was ‘Lion of the Year’ in 1984. Henry and his wife Marilyn, were also publishers of Berks In Focus Magazine for several years.
A member of the Lititz Moravian Church, Henry felt a deep connection to the region through his mother’s side of the family, and was active with the Lititz Moravian Archives Committee and Museum. He was the great-grandson of Professor A.R. Beck, and famous educator John Beck, both of Lititz.
Henry spent 40 years accompanying his talented wife Marilyn to craft shows all over the northeast, where she displayed her German Scherenschnitte (scissor cuttings). He loved anything history, and could talk your ears off for hours.
Left to treasure his memory are his wife, Marilyn; their children: Henry Jr. of West Reading; James (companion of Heidi Gutoski) of Niantic, CT; Mary E. Knop (Jeffrey S.) of Maysville, NC.; Six grandchildren: Kristen Martin and Jacob; Christopher and Megan Diener; Kaitlin (Adrian) Witmer and Hailey Knop (companion of Ryan Stitt); and seven greatgrandchildren: Scarlet and Annabelle Martin; Alice Diener; Sofia, Nolan, and Finley Witmer, and Helena Shipe; and his brother, David A. Diener (companion of Karin Campanelli) of Boulder, CO.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Henry’s memory may be offered to the Lititz Moravian Church, 8 Church Square, Lititz PA 17543, or to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
