All blessings and love to our beloved Jey and wonderful family!!!
 He will ,live in our hearts as a vibrant, lovely man FILLED with joy, humor and FUN!!!!
 Love to YOU, dearest Joan and all your family...Ann Hartzog Hall

Thank you, Joan. My prayers for you and the kids are for our Lord's peace to be with you always, and that you all have His rest and the everlasting joy of God's love. You and Jey will remain on my heart always, till we meet again to sing and dance with Jesus. Amen! Love ya, Ron

Jey was full of joy. He and Joan were wonderful partners in ministry wherever they found themselves. We miss Jey and are grateful for his presence in our lives at Montreat Presbyterian Church.

One of Jey's gifts was presence. Whether it was a quick hello or a sit down chat on the porch of Rest and Be Thankful during a potluck dinner, Jey was always present. He exuded love and kindness and reminded me I was special, I was loved. His mind and body may no longer be with us on Earth, but if you look closely, his loving kindness is present in his children, his grandchildren, and all that were blessed to know him.

What a JOYFUL, delightful and lovely man was Jey!!!!
 We will miss him so very much...
 Much love to Joan and family...Love to each...Annie Hall
 

Jim and Leila are thinking about July 17 and how so many people will be coming to the memorial. The family we know and grew up with. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. As we say Jay has been “Promoted to Glory” and is healthy in Jesus‘a arms. Peace and comfort be with each of you. XOXO

Although Jey was family, we were so far apart in our lives that we really never fortunate enough to know one another. However, when my then fiancée Norman and I were planning our wedding, his sister Ann informed us that Jey would be in Portland and that he would be glad to perform the ceremony. Jey made our wedding a very special event that both Norman and I will never forget.
We know that Jey is with his Lord and that we hopefully will join him in Heaven one day. We send love to all of his family, and wish we could join you for his celebration of life.

It was great to reread all about Jey's accomplishments and life adventures. We obviously won't be able to make any of the July celebrations, but will be thinking of you. What a wonderful way to celebrate his life once again! Nancy and Earl

Jey was a wonderful, kind, caring and compassionate man of God. He and Joan were such a comfort to me and my family during some difficult times. Even though everyone was waiting on a bus to take them to the airport to travel to Israel he took the time to go to his office and call me to pray with me when he heard my father had passed away. I have always said if you look up the word Pastor and his wife you would find a picture of Jey and Joan. The epitome of what those titles mean. I am thankful to know Jey is in heaven and we will all be together one day. I cherish my memories of your smiling face and your hugs. Love to you Joan and your family.

Dear Joan and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Jey’s passing. He was a wonderful man and gifted pastor who served the Lord with such grace and purpose. He had touched so many hearts and changed the lives of countless people including mine. Jey made the world a better place for us all. God Bless you and your family for sharing this wonderful man with us all.

Very sorry to hear of the passing of Jey. I met Jey when he led our youth group at St Cuthbert’s Church in Edinburgh, UK. Jey was inspirational which was in no small part because he was American which in the late 1960’s was rather exotic for a Scottish church. But Jey was also inspirational as a Christian leader and teacher and helped lay the foundations for my lifelong Christian faith. Shortly before he left Edinburgh, he gave me a Good News Bible. What better gift could someone give you to remember them by? I was very glad to meet Jey and Joan again when he did a pulpit exchange in Lanark. I remember Jey with great fondness and respect. My condolences to you, Joan and your family. I will hold you in my prayers.

What a precious and amazing man! He always made me feel that he was glad to see me and was interested in me. I'm so glad to have had the privilege of knowing him and experiencing the aroma of God's grace that could be detected when near him. I know you all miss him very much. Yet, I rejoice with him in finishing the race on this earth and now experiencing the great reward of being forever in the wonderful presence of the Lord!

Many great memories, but the two I remember the most. I was 10, my dad flew us across the US stopping to visit relatives. We finally arrived at Myrtle Beach to visit the Deifell family. We all enjoyed playing in the surf and eatting Southern food. I also cherished when Annie & Steve had Jey officiate Sister Sue's and Norman's wedding. It was at that event I presented Jey with the Deifell family sterling silver set. Jey was a very special person and will be missed by many, but is in a much better place. He will never be forgotten! God bless you and know we love you! Nancy & Earl Greiner

Dear Joan and Family, I am holding you close to my heart and remembering so many wonderful times at GPC with Jey leading us. There were Session retreats, Youth retreats and a Session white water rafting trip and much more.To have a pastor who preached with such wisdom, clarity and compassion and who was lots of fun too was extraordinary. I thank God for Jey and your family! Sending love, Patsy Cummings

Don and I were so sad to hear of Jey's passing. When we were looking for a
Church, we visited Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church. Jey was preaching and
we knew we had found our Church. We felt that was a sign from God. The
next 8-1/2 years were so special for us. He was such a kind, loving and
compassionate man. We were so happy to get to see him and Joan at
GPC's 50th anniversary celebration in 2014. He will be missed. He touched
many people. We send our love and prayers to Joan and family.

We are so saddened to learn of the death of Jey, our beloved former pastor at First Church of Christ in Wethersfield. He will always be remembered as someone who could exhibit strength and caring, all at the same time. We are ever indebted to him, as well as Joan, for the example of love that was shown to the congregation. I’ll never forget a call we received from him long after he had retired, just to “check in with us.” That spoke volumes to us. Our hearts go out to Joan and the entire Deifell family!

I remember Reverend Dr. Deifell with great fondness. His emotional prayers and sermons will stay with me forever. God bless his soul and his family who are touched by the grace and wisdom of God. Praying for you all.

Dear Family Deifell.

A passing of a Christian family member is often such a mix of emotions. 
The saving grace often comes down to knowing that theloved one is with Jesus. Jey is now with Jesus and we look forward to joining him.

Attached is a YouTube link to a song I recorded, "Go Rest High On That Mountain", originally recorded by Vince Gill. My wife, Margarete, and I remember well sitting with Joan and Jey on their back porch in beautiful Black Mountain.

https://youtu.be/A_XPlco3ve4

Best wishes to you all. Michael and Margarete Williamson

Dearest Deifell Family,

Oh, how we loved the time spent with Jey and Joan at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Clearwater, Florida. Denny and I were fairly new Christians, accepting the love of God in our early thirties and Jey was very instrumental in helping us grow our faith and we are eternally grateful for all he was and all he did for us and the Trinity Family. Our hearts go out to the wonderful Deifell family who like us, know that in time we will all be together again in heaven. What a joyous day it will be!

So sorry to hear that Jey passed away. Having you Deifells as neighbors in Gaithersburg meant so much to me. I spent countless hours with your kids, learning to change diapers, play and keep track of the boys while baby Heather was crawling around. Joan, thank you for teaching me so much!
Jey was the one who was responsible for a great part of my spiritual growth. I lived for our Monday night youth group meetings, and had an awesome time in Montreat in 1977 and 1978. So many of his sermons inspired me to this day. Although I have not been keeping up, you all have very special places in my heart. Thank you for even coming to visit me in my new hometown of Heidelberg, Germany. Sending you warmest wishes and prayers from across the ocean.

Hope and my son, John, were in Trinity Presbyterian's preschool, together, and Jey hired me to teach a class on behavior management. He was gracious and appreciative, eager to learn, and engaged with the class avidly. He was a man among men, greatly to be appreciated. Blessings to his family and friends!

The world was a better place with Jey in it. He believed so strongly in Jesus that you became overwhelmed with his love and passion for Christ. He truly was a shepherd of Jesus. My wife and I renewed our vows of marriage 3 times with his help and he healed and made our family stronger because of it. Our hearts go out to Joan and family knowing he has reserved a big gathering room for us all in heaven and Jesus will be right there with him to greet us all. Jey you helped us to reach a goal of living in the present moment with God and for that we love, adore and are blessed knowing you. Goodbye good friend, see you soon ~ The Hoag’s

Jey was more than a pastor. From Wednesday evening dinner programs, Sunday school and choir, during Exodus rehearsals...he was there and his door was always open.  I remember his firm voice of reason when we needed it.  He was there when my mom died, and his words and comfort got me through. He was there in the weeks leading up to and during my wedding. I thought of him as a father figure for our community and I send my heartfelt love to Joan and the Deifell family.

I loved being part of First Church when he was there. I loved his genuine warmth and kindness. I also loved his hugs and his encouragement for me to hug others. He is sorely missed.
My condolences to his family!

Jey set Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church on the road to growth from the small colony church it was when my family joined 47 years ago to the much larger facility and congregation that it is today. He also established Community Outreach, both local and worldwide, as one of the guiding principles of GPC and this is still followed today.

We were very pleased that he and Joan were able to return for our 50th Anniversary celebration in 2014. As the senior of the returning pastors he gave the anniversary sermon and with the others provided interesting reminiscences during the fellowship gathering afterwards.

May the Lord and the passage of time ease the sorrow felt by Joan and his family at their loss and may pleasant memories of Jey fill their thoughts.

Jey (and Joan) were much loved by our family at GPC. Jey was a godly man and an inspiring preacher but he was also a good friend and our family enjoyed fun times together. Thankfully we remained in contact over the years. Hugs and prayers for Joan and the family. Much love, Martha DeBruin and family.

I am so very sorry for your loss. Love and prayers to your family. Marianne Avery

I was so saddened to hear of Jey's passing. He was our minister at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Clearwater, and my parents and I were lucky to share time with the Deifell family outside of church. Jey's passion for his faith, and his family, was undeniable. He was a wonderful man who did not just talk the talk; he walked the walk. I'm sure he'll be missed terribly by his family and friends, but he leaves a lasting legacy of faith, family, and fellowship. My his memory be a blessing, always. Sending love to Joan, Heather, Hope, Tony, and David.

Rest in heaven Reverend Deifel, you will be missed.
Carr family from First Presbyterian Church of York

My husband, Jeff, and I were so blessed by Pastor Jey and Joan when we first moved to Connecticut. I was having an absolutely terrible day once, and they took me home with them and fed me lunch after church. They listened and counseled and prayed with me. I will never forget it. What a strong, good and godly man Pastor Jey was. What a beautiful legacy he left us. I pray that Jesus would hold you and your family in His arms and bring His comfort.

Love to all the Deifell’s....a Rockmont Hall of Fame family. It all began with the trust and support extended by your Dad and Mom so many years ago. I will always appreciate how your Dad graciously opened his Clearwater Church and y’alls home as he advocated for us.

Jay is the reason I’m still in ministry today, and I will never forget his kind and loving Spirit! 

I am so sorry to hear of Jey's passing! Growing up at Trinity Presbyterian under his leadership was so inspiring. At a pivotal time in my life I learned from his example of kindness, compassion and most of all JOY in his faith. I remember the Sunday when several of us as seniors in high school were asked to speak in the pulpit, and in preparation for that I spoke with him one day about how to make my remarks seem genuine and not too "prepared" - I was already on my way to the study of law and I didn't want to be too precise and lose being genuine! Jey just told me to speak from my heart in his usual lighthearted manner, so I did and it was all fine of course! Years later in law school I would remember the twinkle in his eye when he preached as I got up to brief cases. What a blessing to grow in my faith under a leader who taught me that I am a friend of God! Praying for your whole family as you lay him to rest, and I can't wait to see him again some day!

Dear Deifell family, I am so sorry for your loss and I understand, after losing my Gretchen last June to dementia, what a bag of mixed blessings you may feel. Your solid faith and strong wonderful family is part of Jey’s legacy.
When we worked together at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Clearwater, Jey and I were both the same age and came to Trinity the same year. I was fortunate to serve as Director of Music until Jey received another calling after 12 ½ years.  The church reflected the spirit of Jey’s leadership and God’s presence. I considered all of you as family and you were a blessing to us, seeing me through Helen’s illness and my son’s problems. Jey was such a supportive and encouraging boss and wasn’t afraid to show his humanity with much integrity; that made him very accessible and endearing to all who knew him. I remember when Gretchen and I popped in to see you at Wethersfield, CT and we were so honored when you both graciously cleared your schedules and shared precious time and a meal with us.
I thank God for the blessings and opportunity to share this part of my life with such a faithful friend.
God bless you all, Arthur Goetze

Jey was an extraordinary, loving, kind, and faithful man. We were privileged to be among his friends. Many memories of fun times - whale watching, floating down the Delaware River......
He will be missed by his beautiful, loving family and all who knew him. Rest In Peace, dear Jey.
Barbara and Harry

Joan, much love to you in this time of your loss. I always admired the relationship you and Jey had as it overflowed in authentic love and filled so many people with your love. As I remembered Jey, I realized how he was full of God’s generous and overflowing love. In essence Jey was a living vessel of God’s love, which poured out from him and through him. Sometimes the idea of God simply being crazy about us as his beloved creation and constantly offering and bathing us in his love can be scary. Yet, in Jey’s presence, that felt safe and right. Jey just joyfully seemed to exude the belief that I truly am God’s beloved child. And that filled me up. I am so glad your journey brought you to Connecticut and so glad I got to spend many years in your and Jey’s presence. I am richer today because of that.

It is with a sad but yet, joyful heart that I write this note. Attending church on Sunday mornings was a highlight of my weekend because of the First Church family, headed by Jey and Joan. The abundant warmth and joyful nature that he exuded was always so welcoming and comforting. He lead our First Church family with integrity, gentleness and joy. I pray for peace for you Joan, and your family until you meet him again in our heavenly home.

Last saw my fraternity brother, Jey, with Joan, during his time in Edinburgh where I was living and teaching. We spent interesting times together, arguing questions like whether evil existed, discussing cultural differences between Scotland and the US, reminiscing about Chapel Hill. As cricketers say, 80 is a good innings. Cut short by a pandemic. He will live in memory, many memories. 

La disparition de Jey nous attriste profondément.
Elle nous ramène au lointain souvenir de notre première rencontre en 1973 (American Host Program) lorsque Jey et Joan pensaient accueillir deux filles: Jean and Michele! 
Puis aux autres rencontres chez nous en 1983,et en 1992 , sans Tony , mais avec une petite voiture pleine de matériel de camping!
En Floride,en 1985 nous avons apprécié l'implication de Jey dans son ministère,entouré de toute sa famille.Ce fut une expérience exceptionnelle.
C'est en pensant à lui et à sa famille que nous relirons avec nostalgie les "Easter Datelines" que nous avons conservées depuis plus de 30 ans.
Michèle , Jean et Florent

God gifted you with mind and heart, and you used them to honor Him and the people He placed in your path. Your and your family have lifted my spirits on many occasions through these past 13 years.  Our college prayer team prayed for you last Thursday after receiving Hope's update. Know you are loved and respected for your faithfulness to the end. Well done, good and faithful servant. You are now free to move about our Savior's Heaven.  Carter

Jey was one of my favorite high school friends—the epitome of a really nice guy. My condolences to friends and family.

I was a weird teenager when I came in to First Church and Jey was always kind and accepting of me. I ended up forming friendships with three of his wonderful children. I was always inspired by his loving marriage with Joan. I hope everyone who is grieving Jey knows he made a positive impact on this world, and that is everlasting. He will be a good ancestor. Sending love to his whole family, Rhea

My dear friend, Betsy, shared the loss of Jey with me. Our family shares in your loss, but truly know that Jey is where he wishes to be. Please know your family remains in our prayers for strength during this time of grief. A friend once told me that "grief is the price we pay for love'. This is so very true and know how deeply Jey was loved by so very many outside his family. 

Charlie and I grieve with you and your family as we say goodbye for now to our beloved Jey. When we arrived in Connecticut in 2001 knowing no one he and Joan quickly welcomed us into the Wethersfield community at First Church. He made it such a safe place to hold diverse Christian views while we worshiped together. He made it a unique place and we will be forever grateful for the years we spent under his leadership.
Love,
Betsy and Charlie Slaughter

I was saddened to learn of Jey's passing. His love and compassion will be dearly missed. During his pastorate at First Church in Wethersfield, our cat was near death as a result of contact with toxins and Jey took the time to pray for this little animal and he recovered! What a blessing to know someone of such faith. Even as we rejoice that our loved ones have finished the race and received the crown of glory, we cannot help but miss their earthly presence. Prayers are with you, Joan, and your family, as you walk this new road<3

We have been blessed to know you both. You did bring amazing southern warmth, hospitality and HUGS to us in CT, you both brought smiles and a gentleness that was felt and seen. It was because of how God used you both at FCCW that we visited and then joined this church. You used your gifts given by Him and for His Kingdom and His people in all you each did and said. We will miss Jey but know that the promise of Jesus is true and we will see him again one day. Hugs to each of you as you miss Jey this side of heaven.

I will always remember and cherish my memories of growing up at Trinity with your family. From baptizing me as an infant to inspiring my own life and faith, Jey was one of my role models whose example encouraged me to pursue ministry and seminary in my own right.

My life was started on the right path and my childhood rich in faith because of each of you. God surround you, comfort you, and uphold you.

He was such a dear man and such a loving husband and father. Our daughter-in-law, Heather, always found such loving support from her father.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of your family.
Please let us know if we can be of any help...other than our prayers.
Love to all of you, Nancy and Charlie Smith

Thank you for being real . For crying for laughing. As you said all the time reflecting God's light and love thru you.  Thank you Jey . Thank you Joan

I am so sorry for your loss of husband, father and grandfather. I remember you all fondly ( I grew up around the corner from you in grove wood and babysat a few times for you all) Jey married me at Trinity to my first husband we were so young and he counseled us,,, in not so many words tried to tell us we weren't ready and he was right!.. What a smart and wonderful man....the worlds loss and heaven's gain . heartfelt condolences toy all. Janet (Thomas) Doe