Diane Richards

Diane Elizabeth Richards (Hiler), age 82, went to be with the Lord Thursday, October 10, 2024 after succumbing to a brief illness. She was surrounded by her three adult children David, Michael, and Suzanne in Cape Cod, MA.
Howard and Annabelle (Sanford) Hiler welcomed their youngest daughter June 26, 1942 in Morristown, NJ. When she wasn't pestering her two older sisters, Barbara and Eileen, or riding bikes around Kinnelon, NJ with her cousin Francis, Diane took advantage of the perks of being baby of the family. She often rode alongside her dad while he worked for the county or spent precious time with her grandpa William, who gave her a lifelong curiosity for trees, plants, and animals.
At the age of five, Diane attended a local church service and gave her heart to the Lord. She could describe the moment to her dying days and it steered the path of her entire life. A good student, Diane strove to make her mark in the world. She played clarinet in high school marching band, and saxophone in jazz band. In church, she played piano and organ. Diane wanted to be an English teacher to work in world missions, so against the wishes of her mother, she chose to attend Central Bible College in Springfield, MO. It was there at age 18 she met Wilfred Richards, when he almost ran her over with his bicycle. Wilfred used to hide a hand that had been disfigured in an adolescent injury, but Diane thought, "I would hold his hand." And she did, for the next 62 years. They were married the following summer.
While it was home-based instead of world missions where she would dedicate the rest of her life, Diane and Wilfred returned to New Jersey. There Wilfred became ordained and entered the Assemblies of God ministry. As Wilfred advanced from assistant pastor to assignment as pastor of the Lakehurst, NJ AofG church, where together they designed and helped to build the parsonage, Diane was always by his side. The role of a pastor's wife bears many responsibilities and Diane carried them all out faithfully. Administrator, personnel manager, counselor, teacher, co-author, wife and mother. Diane and Wilfred worked hand in hand to serve congregations in Lakehurst, Selbyville, DE and Strasburg, PA.
As a licensed AofG minister, Diane occasionally preached from the pulpit - a task rare in the denomination during her time. In Lakehurst and Selbyville, she facilitated many home-based Charismatic services, often working with Catholic-Charismatics during the Jesus Movement of the late 70's and early 80's. To further outreach in children's ministry, often extending beyond church walls, Diane attended clown school - adding another facet to her multi-faceted life.
After retiring from the ministry, Diane and Wilfred settled in the Lancaster, PA area to live out their days. Throughout her life she proudly worked some restaurant, factory, or retail job to help support her family. Very devoted mother, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother, her love for family was her greatest desire in life.
Diane was preceded in death by Wilfred, her sister Eileen (Hiler) Lecorchick and her grandson, Andre D. She is survived by her three adult children (David A., Michael J., Suzanne K. (Richards) Coleman), eight grandchildren (Lisa S., David J., Michael A., Jennifer N., Adam N., James M., Myah R., Kenneth K.), five great-grandchildren, her sister Barbara (Hiler) Davenport, and many nieces and nephews - all dear to her. This feisty little girl from New Jersey lived an expansive life and was loved by all who knew her. Each carry unique stories of her lasting imprint, as she leaves behind a rich heritage of faith and perseverance.