Minnie Ella Diefenderfer

Minnie Ella (Ulrich) Diefenderfer, 101, formerly of Kent Avenue, Laureldale, died August 31st at 6:28 pm in the Skilled Care Unit at Highlands at Wyomissing where she had been since July 16th.

She was taken there from her apartment in The Highlands at Wyomissing where she had resided since 1989.

Diefenderfer was the widow of Paul T. Diefenderfer who died January 15, 1998. They were married June 9, 1968.

Born in Reading, she was a daughter of the late Solomon F. and Ella (Schmeck) Ulrich.

She was a graduate of Muhlenberg High School and a 1921 graduate of Kutztown Normal School (now Kutztown University).

Diefenderfer taught for 46 years for the Muhlenberg School District, retiring July 1, 1967.

She was a charter member of Rosedale United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed), Laureldale where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir.

Diefenderfer was active in the wider mission of the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the United Church of Christ.

She and her late husband served 15 years as Mission Interpreters for the United Church Board for World Ministries, traveling to more than 150 mission stations around the world, flying hundreds-of-thousands of miles (at their personal expense) to bring back to the State-side churches information and pictures of the mission work.

Diefenderfer was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ, Shillington.

She had been a generous supporter of various missions of the United Church, colleges and universities, children's agencies and community organizations. They have endowed the Chair in Mercersburg and Ecumenical Theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster County. The Chair in Theology is named in honor of Minnie and Paul Diefenderfer.

Services will be Friday at 11:00 am in Immanuel United Church of Christ, Waverly & Brobst Streets, Shillington. Rev. Jill Snively officiating. Viewing 10am until time of service in the church. Burial will be in Laureldale Cemetery, Muhlenberg Township. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Paul & Minnie Diefenderfer Chair in Mercersburg and Ecumenical Theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary, 555 West James Street, Lancaster, Pa 17601. Walter R. Christ Funeral Home, Inc., Laureldale is in charge of arrangements.