Anthony Diehl

Anthony Diehl died attempting to save Elijah T. Britt from drowning, South Haven, Michigan, July 13, 2022. In Lake Michigan near a beach, 7-year-old Elijah was using a bodyboard in shallow water with other children in his family when the waves became stronger. There were no lifeguards on the beach, and Elijah reached a point farther from shore than the others. Among the adult relatives near the shoreline, Elijah’s uncle, Diehl, 33, restaurant manager, waded and swam out to him. Diehl was seen near Elijah, but they soon were separated and their family lost sight of them. The rough current washed Elijah to the shore a short time later. Efforts to revive Elijah were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at a hospital that evening. The continuing deterioration of the water conditions that night thwarted first-responders’ searches for Diehl, as waves were especially high and intense. Diehl, who drowned, was recovered the following day.

Obituary

Anthony Paul “Tony” Diehl, age 33, of Beavercreek, Ohio, passed away on July 13, 2022. He was born on June 24, 1989, in Portsmouth, Virginia, the son of Louis Diehl III and Teresa Diehl.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Laura; children Robert, Sophia, Athena, and Alexia; siblings Brandon Florez, Amanda Diehl, Brittany Diehl, Bon Few, and Taylor Few; parents Lou and Teresa; nieces and nephews Natalie, Evelyn, Harper, Mackenzie, Carter, Henry, Sebastian, Avery, and Hadley; and countless relatives, friends, and loved ones.

Tony was the glue that held his family together. Selfless to his final act, he died trying to save his beloved nephew, Elijah, who also passed away. Tony was a firm believer that family came before anything else, and his family extended far and wide. The people he cared about were his entire world. He was a fast and forever friend, and many people considered him a brother. He enjoyed golf, game nights, and get-togethers. He and his wife hosted many good times and were the first ones to step in and help others who were in need.

Tony had an ambition beyond compare and wanted to take as many people with him along his journey. A natural leader, he assessed situations clearly and fairly, then found the perfect middle. As a Manager, he was fair and effective. He expected the best from his employees, but he also believed in and supported them on a personal level. Despite his expectations, he was also the hardest worker. Tony never did anything halfway. He put his heart and soul into everything he did.