KENDALLVILLE, Ind. – Roger Allen Diehm, age 54, of rural Kendallville, died unexpectedly on Saturday, March 20, 2021, at his home.

Roger was born at McCray Hospital in Kendallville on March 14, 1967, to Wayne Edward and Lois Lenor (Hess) Diehm. He graduated from East Noble High School in 1986, and married Shelly Lynn Pranger 32 ½ years ago on Oct. 20, 1989, at Calvary Chapel in Auburn.

The heart of a king and a man of vision always improving. He was a legendary family man and entrepreneur with many ventures, such as Diehm Construction, Schrader Real Estate, Heartland Organics and organic farming. He was a member of Life Bridge Church in Fort Wayne.

He adored his family and was passionate about restoring old things, farming, building people and businesses. He always believed the best of all people, a champion of the underdog, he inspired those around him daily. Strong in his faith, Roger knew the goodness of God and the power of prayer. It was the core of his heart to share it with others.

Survivors include his wife, Shelly Diehm, of Kendallville; mother, Lois Diehm, of Kendallville; sons, Levi Diehm and his partner, Deanna Richmond, of Kendallville, and Samuel Diehm, of Kendallville; daughters, Lynn Diehm Shively and her husband, Bryce Shively, of Albion, and Bekah Diehm, of Kendallville, and Nashville, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Claire Elizabeth Burns-Diehm and Fletching Shively, of Albion; sisters, Darlene and Tom Gisel, of Kendallville, Elizabeth Pfafman, of Kendallville, Karen and Mike Albaugh, of Kendallville, Barbara and Eric Wolf, of LaOtto and Janice Bradley, of Avilla; brother, Wayne Jr., and Jennifer Diehm, of Kendallville, and Jon and Angel Diehm, of Kendallville.

Roger was preceded in death by his father, Wayne Diehm, in 2016, and his brother-in-law, Gary Pfafman, in 2015.

The funeral was March 26 at the Diehm Family Farm. Burial followed at Fairfield Center Cemetery in DeKalb County. Memorial donations may be made to Shelly Diehm. Arrangements by Hite Funeral Home, Kendallville.