Henry William Deibel, 91, of Mt. Bethel, PA, passed away on April 27, 2026, at home. He had formerly lived in Hackettstown, NJ for twenty-seven years.
BORN: Henry was born November 7, 1934, in Wilkes Barre, PA, the oldest child of Henry W. and Thelma Walters Deibel.
PERSONAL: Henry was the husband of Carole Lois Starner Deibel, who predeceased him in 2023. They were married in 1956 in Cherry Valley, PA. He graduated from the orphanage Girard College, Philadelphia, PA, in 1952, with his undergraduate degree from Wilkes University in 1956, and with his graduate degree from Montclair State University in 1970. He was a high school and college mathematics teacher for forty years, notably at Hackettstown High School, Mt. Olive High School, and Centenary University.
MEMBERSHIPS: Henry was of the Methodist faith, having membership at various times in Hackettstown, NJ, Bangor, PA, and Knowlton, NJ. He had held various committee assignments at each. He was a member of several education associations and served as a member of the Hackettstown Board of Education for six years.
SURVIVORS: Henry is survived by four sons: Glenn (Katherine) of North Myrtle Beach SC, Jeff (Melissa) of Mansfield Township NJ, Henry W Jr (Amy) of Boynton Beach FL, and Craig of Belvidere NJ. Also surviving are three daughters, JoAnn Taylor (Patrick) of Port Charlotte, FL, Glenna Warren (Theodore) of Hope NJ, and Tammy Williams (Alfred) of Hampton NJ. He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Henry is survived by a sister, Mary Ellen Thomas of Greenville, SC and a brother William V Patts (Caroline) of Taylor, MI.
SERVICES Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:00 at Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ. A funeral service will be held immediately following the viewing at Cochran Funeral Home. The cremated remains of both Henry and Carole will reside in a niche at Northampton Memorial Shrine, Palmer Heights, PA.
MEMORIALS, Those wishing to honor Henry’s memory may make donations to The Henry Deibel Legacy at gofundme.com/empowering-students-the-henry-deibel-legacy Donations in Henry’s memory may also be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, Hackettstown, NJ, to Knowlton United Methodist Church, Columbia, NJ, or to Community Presbyterian Church of Mt. Bethel and Portland, Mt. Bethel, PA.
24 Condolences for Deibel, Henry William
Condolences(24)
Gary J. Kuipers, Sr. says
April 29, 2026 at 10:29 amCondolences to the family. Henry was my teacher at HHS during the late 1960’s. Great personality and an extraordinary teacher.
Tammy says
April 30, 2026 at 12:19 pmDear Gary,
Thank you for your kind words and condolences. It means a lot to our family hearing that my father made such a lasting impression on his students. Teaching was his true passion, and the knowledge that he is remembered with such fondness brings us comfort.
Tammy
Tammy (Deibel) Williams says
April 29, 2026 at 11:02 amWhat a guy!
Sharon O’Hea says
April 29, 2026 at 12:46 pmFrom Sharon O’Hea (Donna Hann’s sister)
Dear Tammy, I was so sorry to hear about your dear Dad. He has always held a place in both my husband Paul’s heart, as in mine. He was Paul’s favorite teacher, and we were so moved by the fact that he attended Paul’s high school 50th reunion. Paul was beyond happy.
I used to work in the high school office, and Mr. Deibel never walked in without giving me a sweet smile and greeting… Your Dad sent me the loveliest note when my Paul passed, and I will always treasure it.
I hope you find comfort in the fact that you cared for him so well in his later years. I know you will terribly miss him, as will many others….
Take care, Tammy.
So sincerely, Sharon
Tammy says
April 30, 2026 at 12:16 pmDear Sharon,
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. It truly means a great deal to our family. My father often spoke fondly of both you and Paul!
We love hearing your memories of Dad—especially how much he meant to Paul and you. I remember how much it meant to him to attend the reunion, and knowing it brought Paul such happiness is so comforting.
Your words about his kindness and the way he connected with people are exactly how we will always remember him too. And it means so much to hear that the note he sent you when Paul passed stayed with you—that was just the kind of person he was.
With appreciation, Tammy
Carol Munro Ollwether says
April 29, 2026 at 3:09 pmThoughts and prayers to all of the Deibel family, friends and students’ whose lives he touched. An incredible man who will surely be reunited with his lovely Southern wife and dear fishing partner.
Tammy says
April 30, 2026 at 12:21 pmDear Carol,
Thank you so much for your kind words and for keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers. It means a lot to hear how our father touched so many lives.
We will miss him dearly, but it helps to know how much he meant to others.
Tammy
Carol Munro Ollwerther says
April 29, 2026 at 3:13 pmThoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Hank Deibel. I am sure he is reunited with his lovely Southern wife, Carole, and his fishing partners, Fred and Frank. RIP
Sharon O'Hea says
April 29, 2026 at 5:02 pmFrom Sharon O’Hea (Donna Hann’s sister)
Dear Tammy, I was so sorry to hear about your dear Dad. He has always held a place in my husband Paul’s heart, as in mine. He was Paul’s favorite teacher, and we were so moved by the fact that he attended Paul’s high school 50th reunion. Paul was beyond happy…I used to work in the high school office, and Mr. Deibel never walked in without giving me a sweet smile and greeting…Your Dad sent me the loveliest note when my Paul passed, and I will always treasure it…I hope you find comfort in the fact that you cared for him so well in his later years. I know you will terribly miss him, as will many others…Take care, Tammy. So sincerely,
Chick Dimiceli says
April 29, 2026 at 8:56 pmMr Deibel was one of my favorite teachers He knew how to get the most out of me and that wasn’t easy Later in life he was a long time customer and a friend He always said you could call me Hank but to me he was always Mr Deibel He was truly a great man God Bless
Joyce Kenny Polizzio says
April 29, 2026 at 11:19 pmSo sorry for your loss. Mr. Deibel tried so hard to help me in Alegebra and I’ll never forget his kindness and efforts. One of my favorite teachers. HHS grad in 1966.
Tammy says
May 1, 2026 at 10:29 amDear Joyce,
Thank you very much for your thoughtful message. t truly means a lot to hear how our father tried to help and made a difference. He cared deeply about his students, especially when they were struggling.
Tammy
Rosemarie Sinisi Wright says
April 30, 2026 at 1:29 pmMr Deibel was a wonderful teacher. You are all in my thoughts and prayers 🙏🏻🌹
Linda J. says
May 1, 2026 at 2:32 amTo the Deibel Family-
there has been much gossip through the grapevine about the family with 7 children, and the love within the beautiful Hackettstown House, #108, (mostly from Vanessa across the street). Tammy, you left your name in pencil at the attic stairs. We left it there in your Honor! My family also found your photo, (no longer have it), behind the heat register in a bedroom. My family also grew up in that Magical House. We are all gone from there now, but do haunt it in our dreams. Do join us ?
In Spirit,
Linda Jacobsen
Tammy says
May 1, 2026 at 9:56 pmDear Linda
Thank you for reaching out and for reminiscing about that magical house. I’m so happy you had the chance to experience your childhood there, just like our family did before you. It truly warms my heart to hear that my name is still there. I will always continue to dream about the wonderful days we spent at 108 Franklin St.
Tammy
Tammy says
May 1, 2026 at 10:31 amDear Rosemarie,
Thank you so much for your kind words and for keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers. It means a great deal to hear how much our father was appreciated as a teacher.
Tammy
David Bowes says
May 2, 2026 at 3:28 pmSad to learn of the passing of Mr. Deibel. Hank was an excellent math teacher and was highly respected by his students and his peers. He was academically, professionally, and socially a first class person. During my early years in teaching, he took me under his wing and became my mentor and role model. I attribute any success in my career to his influence on me. Thank you Hank.
Tammy says
May 8, 2026 at 11:58 amMr. Bowes, thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing this memory of Dad. It means a great deal to our family to hear how much respect and admiration his colleagues and students had for him.
He truly loved teaching and cared deeply about the people around him, so knowing he had such a positive impact on your career and life would have meant so much to him. We are very grateful you took the time to honor his memory and share what he meant to you. Tammy
Sara B McGuire says
May 4, 2026 at 2:56 pmMy sincere condolences to the Deibel family, may he rest in peace.
Sara (Blake) McGuire
Tammy says
May 8, 2026 at 12:01 pmDear Sara, thank you for your condolences. The Blake family always played a big part in our lives. Tammy
Jackie Smith Timte says
May 7, 2026 at 1:35 amMr. Deibel was one of my favorite teachers at HHS. I will remember forever that Day in November 1963 when President Kennedy was shot. We were in Mr. Deibel’s Algebra I class and we, along with the rest of the country, stopped. It came over the loud speakers and we all sat in silence and disbelief.
Mr. Deibel was a gem! Such a nice man, so well respected and loved by his students. Just a really great guy!!
Jackie Smith Timte
HHS Class of 1967
Tammy says
May 8, 2026 at 12:03 pmThank you, Jackie, for sharing this memory of Dad.
It means so much to our family to hear how warmly he is remembered by his students, not only as a teacher but as a person. Your kind words about the respect and care he showed throughout his years at HHS are deeply appreciated. Thank you for honoring his memory. Tammy
Tammy says
May 8, 2026 at 11:55 amDear Linda
Thank you for reaching out and for reminiscing about that magical house. I’m so happy you had the chance to experience your childhood there, just like our family did before you. It truly warms my heart to hear that my name is still there. I will always continue to dream about the wonderful days we spent at 108 Franklin St.
Tammy
Rob Marshall says
May 12, 2026 at 2:38 amSo sorry to hear that Mr Deibel has passed. He and your mom were always so nice and welcoming to us, Glen and Glenna’s friends, when we would visit at the house, during our Senior high school year and early college years. I feel privileged to have known him. My deepest heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the entire Deibel family.
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