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. Online condolences may be expressed at www.robertsondrago.com.
