09/10/2025
Our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of our former classmate, David Diggle.
David A. Diggle
November 17, 1953 - September 5, 2025
David A. Diggle, 71, of Germantown Hills, passed away on Friday, Sept. 5th at OSF St. Francis Medical Center.
David was born on Nov. 17, 1953 in Bloomington to Edward L. and Laurel “Bee” (Bower) Diggle. He married Susan (Greve) Diggle on Dec. 20th, 1974 in Bloomington and remained married to the love of his life for 50 years. She survives.
David is also survived by his three children – Ben (Melissa) of Peoria, Amy of Germantown Hills and Daniel (Haley) of Washington as well as his granddaughters – Raelynn, Grace and Brynnlee. Also surviving are his sister, Alice Cantwell of Moorpark, Cali. as well as his nieces and nephews, Chris (Kathleen) Cantwell, Libby (Jared) Hare and Andy Cantwell and his many grand-nieces and grand-nephews. David is also survived by his sister-in-law, Jane (Ken) Jermac of Chapin, SC, niece, Sarah (Brandon) Hoffmann, nephew Jon Buhrow, niece Megan (Jerrad) Kelly, nephew Paul (Allie) Conlon, his uncle and aunt Norm and Sue Morrison of Newark, Ohio as well as many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
David was known as a caring and empathetic individual with a joyful sense of humor and an appetite for adventure.
After graduating from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science in 1974, David started his career as a funeral director at Kibler-Smith Funeral Home in Bloomington, Illinois and then the Culkin Funeral Homes in Chatsworth and Forrest. In 1983, he purchased both funeral homes from Clarence Culkin and formed Culkin-Diggle Funeral Homes. He would eventually open a third location in Fairbury as well. In 1991, David and Susan purchased the Cumerford-Endsley Funeral Home and Endsley Funeral Homes with four locations in Peoria and Bartonville. His children have many fond memories of helping with the funeral homes from a very early age. He retired from the funeral business in 2010.
But retirement did not suit David and so, in 2010, he purchased Hurshel’s Upholstery in Peoria Heights. His family teased him for buying the business because of a novelty t-shirt he saw saying “Upholsterers never die…they just recover.” In 2014, he continued his career by buying the Ace Hardware store in Eureka and later expanding into Washington and El Paso, which was possible with the help of his son, Daniel, whom he partnered with to run operations. David ended his lifelong career as he started – working in family-owned businesses.
As you might imagine, a man who refused to slow down in his career didn’t slow down away from work either. David was an avid outdoorsman with a particular focus on pheasant hunting and fishing for crappie and walleye. He took many fishing trips to Canada and Minnesota with his father and sons as well as his good friends. You could frequently find him enjoying his morning coffee overlooking the lake at their home or wetting a line off the dock.
From a young age, Dad had a love for classic wood boats. He went on to restore several Century and Chris Craft wood boats later in life, and he loved to take his wood boats out on the water with his family and friends. He and his wife and daughter also loved to attend Antique and Classic Boat Shows throughout the Midwest. He and his wife were long-time members of the Illinois Valley Yacht and Canoe Club where he enjoyed showing off his wood boats and offering rides to anyone who wanted to go.
David was also an avid fan of music with a playlist that many described as eclectic. He and his son, Ben, enjoyed many hours sitting on the porch of their house overlooking White Oak Lake and trying to stump each other with the opening notes of various songs.
But his biggest joy came from time spent with friends and family. David and Susan adored spending time with their granddaughters. Grandpa’s favorite fishing buddy was his granddaughter, Raelynn, who developed a love of angling just like Grandpa and her Dad.
Whether reconnecting with friends from Forrest and Chatsworth or making new friends while spending winters in Florida, David surrounded himself with people who enjoyed good food and laughter. David and Susan traveled frequently in recent years. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by becoming snowbirds and residing in Cape Coral, FL during the most recent winter.
David and Susan attended Crossroads Global United Methodist Church in Washington where the visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 12 from 4-7 p.m.. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, Sept, 13 at 2 p.m. at Crossroads.
Memorials may be made to the Make A Wish Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Condolences and tributes can be shared with the family at
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