Rev. Mr. William P. Diehl, a permanent deacon who had served since 1997 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, died Friday morning, Aug. 11. He was 72.

Deacon Diehl was born in Springfield, Ohio, and was ordained as a permanent deacon on Jan. 1, 1992, in Miami.

In his over nine years of service at St. Francis of Assisi, Deacon Diehl was the director of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program and was involved in ministry to the sick and with the Secular Franciscans Order.

Deacon Diehl’s funeral Mass was held on Monday, Aug. 14, at 1 p.m. at St. Francis.

Deacon Diehl is survived by his wife, Marie, his children Robert and Kelly and his granddaughter, Kasey.