Diane Schafer Whitten

We gather today to celebrate the life of a beloved child of God, Diane Schafer Whitten, who walked this earthly journey with grace and kindness, touching the lives of all who had the pleasure to know her. Born on August 14, 1943, in the peaceful town of Ionia, Michigan, Diane was a beacon of light from the very beginning. Her journey came to a rest on May 16, 2025, in New Braunfels, Texas, where she was called home, leaving behind a legacy of love and service after a valiant battle with complications from Alzheimer's Disease.
Diane, a woman of profound faith and boundless love, was the heart of her family. She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Though her beloved husband Ben Whitten and her dear son Christian Whitten preceded her in death, her spirit lives on through her daughters Holly Olson and Melanie Wright, her son Brandon Whitten, and her grandchildren Zach, Jessie, Madeline, Parker, Addison, Audrey, and great-grandchildren Gracelynn, Jude, Charlie, and Kai. Her sister Susan Demers, along with countless friends and extended family, will carry the torch of her memory.
Diane's life was a testament to the pursuit of knowledge and the joy of sharing it with others. Her academic journey began with an Associate's Degree in Dental Hygiene from Ferris State in Big Rapids, Michigan, and culminated with a Master's Degree in Education from Texas State University. Her professional life was as varied as it was impactful, from the skies as a Flight Attendant for Eastern Airlines to the classrooms where she shaped young minds as a Kindergarten & 1st Grade Teacher, and later as a Professor of Elementary Education.
But her contributions extended far beyond her professional endeavors. Diane was a true servant leader, embodying the spirit of community and faith in her many volunteer roles. She taught Religious Education, served as a lector, a Eucharist minister, and the Director of Religious Education. She ministered to youth, led ACTS retreats, was a devout member of the Legion of Mary, visited the homebound, participated in prayer groups, crafted prayer blankets, sang in the choir, and devoted endless hours to tutoring children in Wimberley. Diane's selflessness was a living sermon, her actions a constant prayer.
Her interests were as rich and varied as her contributions to her community. Diane found joy and solace in painting, quilting, cake decorating, needlepoint, cross-stitch, reading, walking, and puzzle work. But above all, her greatest delight was in spending time with her grandchildren, imparting to them the wisdom of her years and the warmth of her love.
Diane was the embodiment of faith-filled living, her selfless acts a reflection of her loving heart. She navigated life's trials with unwavering trust in the Lord, and her resilience inspired those around her. Diane's legacy is not only in the lives she touched but in the example she set, a path of kindness, generosity, and unwavering faith that will guide us all.
As we bid farewell to Diane Schafer Whitten, let us not dwell in sorrow, but instead, rejoice in the knowledge that she has been welcomed into the loving arms of her Creator. She ran the good race, she kept the faith, and now she has claimed the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, has awarded her on this day. Let us honor her memory by living as she did, with love in our hearts and service on our minds.
We commend our beloved Diane to the Almighty, knowing that her spirit will forever be a beacon of light in the lives of those she loved. Though her physical presence is no longer with us, her spirit endures, and her love remains as a blessing to us all. Amen. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Diane, please visit our Tree Store.