John W. Diehl of Cochecton, NY, a long-time resident of the area, passed away Friday, May 6, at home with his family by his side. He was 67.

The son of the late John Diehl and Christina Wood Diehl, he was born on May 24, 1943, in Hackensack, NJ.

John served in the U.S. Navy. An expert nurseryman, he had worked at Monticello Farm, Home and Garden and Agway in Callicoon, NY.

A family statement reads: “John was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was an excellent craftsman who built his family home. An avid outdoorsman, he loved woodworking, gardening and being on the river, but most of all spending time with his family. He will be greatly missed.”

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Willa Gaylord Diehl; one daughter, Jennifer Hawley and her husband Scott of Waymart, PA; one son, Richard Diehl and his wife Christine of Westwood, NJ; and three grandchildren, Lydia Summer Hawley, Laura Margaret Diehl and Kevin John Diehl.

Friends are invited to call on Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 90 Main St., Narrowsburg, NY. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 14 at 3 p.m at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.