Dr. Showalter was an educator of many in Wabash, Kosciusko and Brown counties. Whether as a teacher, principal, curriculum director or superintendent she loved teaching kids. However, her favorite role was as grandma to two amazing young men (Clark and Layne). While also a wife of 53 years to Randy and mother to Kelli and Aron (Cora), she couldn’t get enough of being grandma.
From a young age, raised in a multigenerational home, Diana was taught the importance of family and the fun you could have together. Her grandmother and her spent hours wrestling. Running the Root Beer Stand was a family affair with all pitching in. The Beatles were a favorite of the McKinney girls (sister, Deb McKinney Norris) and they were lucky enough to see them in concert a couple of times and then later Paul McCartney when he was nearby. In Peru, Diana spent some time with the circus twirling fire batons. There was one unfortunate incident with too much hair spray and whirling fire. Summers spent with family on Lake Manitou were especially cherished. Holidays were special days with the whole family gathered around the table enjoying a wonderful meal usually prepared by Diana. Purdue was woven into the family fabric. Years of family tailgating and sitting together on the top row of Ross Ade to watch the Boilermakers. Randy and Diana were lucky enough to buy a lake home several years ago which allowed lots of fun like was had years ago at the original cottage. Hours upon hours of splashing fun with grandma and the boys. She also very much enjoyed being Randy’s fishing partner by holding down the passenger seat with a good book in hand.
We were blessed beyond measure to have her in our lives for as long as we did. Ask any of her family and they will say it certainly wasn’t long enough. Unfortunately, Diana had a very rare immunological response to ovarian cancer that had devastating neurological affects. She was constantly surrounded by her family during her many months battling this terrible reaction.
Join us at Trinity Lutheran Church 1500 S Wabash Street, Wabash IN, Sunday April 14 from 1 to 4pm and share a favorite memory of Diana or just to support her family. No gifts or flowers, please. If you would like to pay tribute to Dr. Showalter, please call your local public school administrative office to ask what they need. In honor of Diana there will be a Red Cross blood drive on May 14 from 2 to 6 at the Manchester Community Schools Administrative office hosted by the Manchester Lions Club, of which she was a member. She would also have suggested you gather those you love close and read with them.