Obituaries

Diane Louise Walton, 58

March 18, 2015

Diane Louise Walton, 58, of Ephrata, died Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at Lancaster General Hospital. Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of Ruth Ann (Booth) Shaffer of Lancaster and the late Russell C. Shaffer.

A graduate of Manheim Township High School and Empire Beauty School, Diane worked as a beautician in Lancaster for a short period. She next served as the head cook at Cocalico Valley VFW Post #3376, Ephrata, and then as a cashier at the former Pharm House store in Ephrata.

Diane was a member of Long Memorial United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir. She was very caring, friendly and quick witted. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and always found ways to do special things for her family. Diane enjoyed scrapbooking, country music, singing, reading, puzzle books and cooking.

In addition to her mother, Diane is survived by three daughters: Melissa A., wife of Paul Clement of Lititz, Jessica L. wife of Jason Gehman of Mohnton, and Heidi A. Schmuck of Robesonia; 12 grandchildren; two brothers: Russell A. Shaffer and Joseph J. Shaffer, both of Lancaster; and seven nieces and nephews.

Diane’s family will receive friends from 2 to 3 pm, followed by her memorial service at 3 pm, on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at Long Memorial United Methodist Church, 2660 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601. Pastor Len Calhoun will officiate. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311.

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Condolences to the Family

May 09, 2018

Dear Nanny,
I miss you. Though I know your in a better place no longer suffering. Day after day I think of you. 
Caitlyn. <3 

March 24, 2015

We are so sorry about the loss of your mom. May your family be blessed by memories of her.  Think of you always!
-Marie, Oscar, Josie & Rebekah

March 24, 2015

An so sorry to hear this. Our thought and prayers are with you Aunt Ruth, Russell, and Joe. She will no longer be in pain. 
                                                                           Our Thoughts And Prayers
                                                                                 Clarence & Cheryl Herr
                                                                                 Ken & Marie Yake

March 23, 2015

I am so sorry to learn of Diane’s passing.  She and I were the same age. Even though I am no longer a member of the Herr family, I needed to say how sorry I am.  Aunt Ruth, keep the happy memories close to your heart.
 
Love, 
Cindy

March 23, 2015

Dear Diane i will miss you alot i willl never forget when we met as we where young and wild we met on the loop in lancaster city. we went to hershey park and we saw the sooper dooper ride and no one wanted to go on but then i said come on diane it would be the best ride in our life so we both went on the ride we never ever let that down we still did talk bout even last yr.we had so many good days and good times together .yu married my brother but it never worked out and you had two beatiful daughters out of it that you loved very much jess and missy which i will love always.we always stayed the best of friends even though my brother hated me for it .you where like a big sister i never had.some people thought we where sisters oh what a laugh some times. we always had partys and cook outs and just some special times and went out for dinner and i loved every day we had together but then we both started to have health problems and every thing started to get harder to get together but we did when we could.i will not forget the last time i was with you and spoke to you i was so glad to get to see you in theer the thursday before you passed away .i was in the icu with my son the same day and still dealing with my double surgery on if i would of known that you where that bad  i would of never known i was so sadden to hear you passed away but i will never forget all the good times and sad time and happy times we had togther but some day we will be together again i hope and pray you are with all of our loves one in heaven having a good time .  love dawn leonard and family.

March 23, 2015

Mom, we all miss & love you. We know you’re in a better time & place without the pain, worries, & ailments. We’re grateful you’re not suffering any more although it’s very hard for us to not have you here to laugh with, joke with, go shopping with or even just to sit around & talk with. We know we’ll have that opportunity again some day. In the meantime, say Hi to Pap S., Pap W., Nan W., Mrs. Witmer, Mrs. Connell, & many others. Now’s the time for all of you guys to get reaquainted & share stories & laughter. As you look down upon us girls: Jess, Heidi, & myself I hope we all are making you proud of us. Despite the ups & downs in our lives with various people I am glad you met Jay. I gained not just a friends or a buddy but a sister who I love dearly. You know when us girls get together all sorts of silliness brews & whatever happens is a mystery to us all. And our craziness has rubbed off well onto your 12 babies: Kara, Tyler, Wyatte, Taihgan, Jaden, Justina, Nathan, Caitlyn, Evan, Gabriella, Damian, & Tamara. You are & will forever be a very loving mother, always willing to help, or give advice, or lend an ear. You taught us girls how to be kind yet wacky mothers & for that we are grateful. You always made such amusing faces when we surprised or shocked you with something funny usually follwed by a WHAT! or MISSY! You never let me down with those “famous” replies of yours. No matter how much trouble us girls caused or got into you never got really upset with us for long. Even though it made you mad at the time you enjoyed Kara’s efforts when she was 2 to make us breakfast by pouring milk & eggs onto the kitchen floor. To Tyler’s silly faces & Wyatte’s funny sarcasm. The boys singing red solo cup for your enjoyment. The babies could always make you laugh or smile. Hope they’ll continue to do so as they grow. All our love mom/nanny…until we meet again…Melissa, Paul, Kara, Tyler, & Wyatte…

March 22, 2015

My deepest sympathy goes out to the whole family, I will always remember Diane from when we were very young and had our litte tea parties.  God needed another Angel.  God Bless Yous All.
 
 
                                                      Thoughts and Prayers
                                                       Penny Foultz Leakway

March 22, 2015

I love you mom. I know you are no longer suffering. I miss you. Your grandkids miss you and love you. Say hi to Pap for us. I bet you’re both telling stories to each other about grandchildren. I will see you again. Love Jess.

March 22, 2015

So sorry for the loss of your mother, may she rest in peace now.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
Shirley Niederriter
Co-worker of Melissa

March 22, 2015

Dearest Diane, { Mom }
You will be missed dearly by all of us, Going over to dad’s will not ever be the same again, I met you as a child, I came into your life and gained two sister’s and another mother. You were always so concerned and helpful with the children. Thank you for that, I had a lot to say to you in the hospital but the words would not come out. I am grateful you and I got to talk on Wed. morning and you met Favian for the first time. I am gonna miss you and I going to yard sales together just to window shop, Since you and I were so close for so many years the phone calls all day long will be missed as well a short subject always turned into a very long conversation. You got to see me grow into a woman and have my children and go through some of the hardest times in my life and you were right there waiting for me with all kinds of advice whether I took the advice or not your motherly ways were always in full gear. I wanna thank you for all the laughs that we shared, and we did share a lot of laughs we could make a joke out of almost nothing. I wanna also thank you for always putting up with us crazy girls at times we were a handful but it didn’t seem to bother you. My father and you were happy in your own kind of ways, and while some of us don’t fully understand we were there for you no matter what u decided as u were for us. I am glad my dad and yourself met because without those nights out dancing I never would have gained another mom, and two sisters, and my best friend, my partner in crime, my midnight texting buddy Melissa lol. {_ I love you Sis }. I will try my best to always make you proud and make good choices, and as Taihgan and Jaden grow up they will always remember their Nanny the one that was always right accross the street to visit. You and I have had some crazy fun times together and all though some people are upset with certain people right now, My dad, You, the Kids, and I have all had some awesome times together I love you so much, Thank you for being a mom to me as you did Melissa, and Jessica. May you fly high in the sky mom, No fears, No pains, No worries, make sure you met up with Will, Nick, Amber, Pap, and everyone else and let all of them know I will meet you all again someday and I miss everyone of you each and everyday. Until we meet again Mom.

March 22, 2015

I will miss her dearly she was.a.very loving person. She is with the rest of our loved ones they are singing and dancing. Rest in peace cousin. I Love u 
Tina Pullian 

Visitation
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Long Memorial United Methodist Church
2660 Lititz Pike
Lancaster, PA 17601
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Services
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
3:00 PM
Long Memorial United Methodist Church
2660 Lititz Pike
Lancaster, PA 17601
Map and Directions

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