Carl Sanford ‘Sandy’ Diehl

Carl Sanford “Sandy” Diehl, 94, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, Jan. 26, 2026, at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital in Warsaw. His son, Claude Diehl; daughter, Brenda Lamon; and faithful assistant, Chante Harter; were at his side.
Carl was born in Leesburg to a pioneering Kosciusko County family on Nov. 8, 1931. His parents were Carl Sanford and Adaline Sayles Diehl. In 1840, Carl’s great-grandfather, Henry Berst, moved to Plain Township and purchased the family farm. A house was built on the property in 1859 to replace the original log cabin. Elijah Frank Diehl, Carl’s grandfather, was a Civil War veteran. He worked as a school teacher and was a progressive farmer. Reportedly, some of the first soybeans grown in Kosciusko County were grown on this farm.
Carl graduated from Leesburg High School in 1950, started study at Purdue University then joined the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. On Nov. 12, 1955 he married a widow, Barbara Ellen Hepler. She brought with her two toddlers, Ted Bast and Brenda Bast. The family immediately moved to California where Carl finished his stint in the Navy. In 1956 he moved the family, which now included a son, Carl, to the West Lafayette area to finish his study at Purdue. After graduating from Purdue the move was made back to the family farm. Their son, Claude, was born after this move. There he resided almost continuously until his death.
He then began his career with the USDA as a soil and water conservation technician in Kosciusko County. In the 1970s, Carl took a position with the USDA Soil Conservation Service (SCS) as the district conservationist. His district included Elkhart County, Tipton County and Noble County. He retired from what is now known as Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) in 1986.
Carl was a member of the Indiana Forestry and Woodland Owners Association and served as president for two years and was on the board of directors from 1987-2006. He was a Walnut Council member and The American Chestnut Foundation member. In 1990 he was awarded the Outstanding Tree Farmer and in 2010 the State Charles Deam Forestry Stewardship Award.
Even after retirement Carl was very active in forestry and conservation. He also helped with the local tree sales for the Kosciusko SWCD. Carl proudly planted over 80,000 trees in his lifetime, improving the productivity of the forests and the environmental benefits they impact. He promoted no-till farming and cover crops with landowners.
He was a member of the Kosciusko County Historical Society. Carl encouraged higher education and advocated for the advancement of women. He had an abiding concern for people and an interest in lifelong learning. He himself was an avid reader of all topics and he was able to converse on many topics.
Carl is survived by his children: Brenda (Jon) Lamon, of Warsaw; Carl V. (Gaby) Diehl, of Houston, Texas; and Claude Diehl, of West Lafayette. There are seven grandchildren: Matthew (Susie) Walton, Mark (Christine) Walton, Andrew (Sarah) Bast, Ryan Bast, Jessica (Ryan A. Thomas) Diehl, Stephanie Diehl and Carl Diehl Jr.; great-grandchildren: Ava, Henry, Joseph, Emily, Alexandra, Cora and Lincoln.
He was preceded in death by his son, Ted Bast; his parents Carl S. and Adaline Diehl; older sisters: Marjorie Hamilton, Dorothy Bishop, Mary Palhegyi and Joan Sharp.
Visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5 at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw. A memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. with Pastor Bernie Andersen officiating. Military honors will be rendered following the memorial service.
Private family burial will be held in Leesburg Cemetery, Leesburg.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Indiana Forest Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA) or the Walnut Council, 1007 N. 725 West, West Lafayette, IN 47906.
To sign the guestbook or send a condolence, go to www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.