Global Ministries is saddened to learn of the passing of Johanna (Jo) Diehl

Johanna K. Diehl, of Defiance, was born June 23, 1934 in Coshocton, Ohio to William and Florence Kobel (Black). She died Friday, December 6, 2024, in Defiance, at Mercy Hospital. Johanna was raised in North Canton alongside siblings Judy, Mary, Marjorie, and Bill. Johanna attended North Canton High School, in the Class of 1952, and went on to graduate from The Ohio State University. While at Ohio State, Johanna met Henry Diehl. They married in 1956 and he predeceased her in 2011.

With a lifetime commitment to service ahead of her, Johanna and Henry traveled to Ghana, West Africa as missionaries for the United Church of Christ World Board of Ministries, a predecessor body of Global Ministries, in 1962. They spent seven years in Ho, a small village in rural Ghana, providing education and basic services to some of the country’s most vulnerable. For Jo, this included work at a local leprosarium. To know Jo was to know her as a fierce friend to the marginalized.

In 1969 Johanna and Henry returned to the States, drawn to Defiance by the UCC affiliation of Defiance College, where she would raise five children and live out the remainder of her years. During her time in Defiance, Johanna worked for Ohio Attorney General Anthony Celebrezze Jr., Defiance County Board of Elections, Defiance Public Schools, and Easter Seals and was involved in many local charities. In her semi-retirement she co-owned Rainbow Travel where she and Henry led multiple trips to China.

Johanna was highly engaged in the American political process. A staunch Democrat, she organized for, and helped elect countless local and state political officials. Even into her 80s, she created political floats for the Defiance Halloween parades in her garage. Always willing to house or feed those in need, Johanna opened her home to over 16 different foster children and two Central American refugees. A consummate homemaker and proverbial host, her home provided a welcoming place for friends and strangers with a continual flow of meals, receptions, bridge games, and holiday celebrations for over 50 years. She believed in family, the gift of giving, and the gift of grace. A member of the St. John’s UCC Church since her arrival in Defiance, she attended service every Sunday, and was part of a community of faith whose legacy echoes through the hallways of the church. She was an integral part of a community whose leadership and moral teachings have impacted the lives of generations.

Johanna is survived by her children Gregory (Laurel) Diehl of Watertown, MA; Kwame (Amanda) Diehl of Juneau, AK; Kwasi (Cindy) Diehl of Eugene, OR; and Deborah (Peter) Lenhart of Grand Rapids, MI. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, three great grandchildren, her sister Judy, brother Bill, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Henry, son Steven, and her sisters Mary (Loren) Thomas and Marjorie (Herbert) Hacker.

There will be a celebration of Jo’s life on Sunday, December 29th. The family will receive Jo’s friends and loved one’s at 1pm for visitation prior to the memorial service at 2:30pm. Services will be held at St. John UCC Church, 950 Webster St. Defiance. Jo donated her body for research to the University of Toledo Medical Center. Donations in her memory may be made to Heifer International or St. John United Church of Christ.