Bradley Dean Diepholz

Bradley Dean Diepholz passed away unexpectedly and peacefully while on his annual hunting trip in Illinois on November 10, 2022; he was 61 years old. The family is planning a celebration of life at a later date. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938 is in charge of arrangements. He was born to Wanda Imojean (Rinehart) Diepholz and Harry Dean ‘Bud’ Diepholz on July 12, 1961, in Mattoon, IL. Brad’s first job was helping his father establish D to Z Sports, a fixture in the Mattoon community for many years. He caught the entrepreneurial spirit from Bud and was self-employed his entire career. Brad loved the challenge of taking a business idea and bringing it to life, repeating that cycle many times. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Marketing from Eastern Illinois University in 1984, was a registered Real Estate agent in AZ since 2006, and a Class B General Residential Contractor in AZ since 2007. In 1980, Brad was introduced by mutual friends to Karen Kolinski, the daughter of George and Elaine Kolinski, who also lived in Mattoon. They became an inseparable couple almost immediately, and married on October 19, 1985, after Karen graduated from Eastern Illinois University. Moving to Arizona in 1986, they established themselves there and enjoyed all that the valley of the sun had to offer. They made many lifelong friends along the way, before they relocated to Napa, CA in 2016. They shared 37 years of marriage and had two sons, Clark and Dean, that made him very proud. Brad was the true definition of a family-man and organized many family gatherings. He had a passion for cooking that he loved to share with others. There are many happy memories of the “Brad-B-Que’s” that he hosted, where everyone was able to enjoy his delicious grilling. He spent many hours planning menus and trying recipes for the enjoyment of others. Like his father, Brad never met a stranger. He took the time to really listen and be present when he asked how you were doing and touched many people with his sincere caring. He was a master of surprises and loved to scheme up a plan that would delight the recipient. He was truly happiest while making other people happy. Brad developed expert level knowledge about cigars which he avidly collected, enjoyed, and shared with all. He also had a passion for bow hunting and spent weeks in joyful anticipation of his annual white tail deer hunt in Illinois and his elk hunt in northern AZ with his friends. Brad is survived by his wife, Karen (Kolinski) Diepholz of Napa, CA, his two sons, Clark Vincent Diepholz of Scottsdale, AZ and Harry Dean Diepholz II of Phoenix, AZ. Brad is also survived by his sister Jean Marie Reid of Manchester, MO, nephew Scott Reid of Manchester, MO, niece Jennifer Reid of Chatham, IL, brother Kris Diepholz of Albuquerque, NM, and brother Kurt Diepholz of Mattoon, IL. Brad lived and died on his own terms, living his life fully to the end. His final wishes were to not have a mournful funeral, but rather to be remembered with a celebration of life one year after his passing. His family asks that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the American Heart Association: https://ahatribute.funraise.org/fundraiser/clark-diepholz Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with the family.

Tributes

Bradley Dean Diepholz

July 12, 1961 - November 10, 2022