James Edward “Diff” Difenbacher, 76, of Chippewa Township, died Tuesday, April 1, 2008 in his home under the care of his family and Forbes Hospice.

      Born Sept. 18, 1931 in Erie, PA, he was the son of the late Richard and Mildred Thomas Diffenbacher. He was a U.S. Marine and served his country during the Korean Conflict, was the recipient of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.  He was a 27 year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police with the rank of corporal, he was also a Beaver County detective, and then he was appointed the Chef of Police for the Borough of Big Beaver.  He served as Chief of Police until his retirement in 1996.  He was a member of the Chippewa United Methodist Church for 46 years, past master of the Parian Lodge No. 662 F.& A. M., New Castle Consistory, Past President of the Beaver Valley Chiefs of Police Association; Brady Paul Lodge No. 54 F.O.P.  He was also a member of the Pennsylvania State and County Detectives Association,   retired State Police Association of Pennsylvania, and the Wenonah Chapter O.E. S. No. 124, Beaver Falls.

         In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Eugene and Robert Diffenbacher.

          He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Geraldine “Gerry” Lehtonen Diffenbacher, a son John R. Diffenbacher, Enon Valley, two daughters and sons-in-law,  Sandra J. and Paul Garman, South Beaver Township,

Mary Beth and Joe Tress, Brighton Township, Brighton Township, his grandchildren,  Joshua and Kasey Diffenbacher,  Erin, Stephanie, and Emily Garman, Nicole Tress, Anthony and his spouse Shannon Tress, and a great-grandson Michael Tress.

         Friends will be received on Thursday from 1 until 9 p.m. in the Hill & Kunselman Funeral Home, www.hillandkunselman.com.,  3801-4th Ave.,College Hill, Beaver Falls. There will an additional visitation in the funeral home on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. The procession will leave the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. and the service will begin at 11 a.m. in

the Chippewa United Methodist Church, 2545 Darlington Road, with Rev. Rodney E. Smith and Dr. Daniel Stinson officiating.

       Entombment will follow in the Beaver Falls Cemetery Mausoleum, Chippewa Township.

          Memorial contributions may be made, if desired, to the Memorial Fund at the Chippewa United Methodist Church.

         The Wenonah Chapter O.E.S. will conduct a service in the funeral home at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

         A Masonic service will be held in the funeral home on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

                The Beaver County Special Unit will meet at the cemetery on Friday at 11:45 a.m. to conduct full military rites.