Patricia Dianne Merriman

Patricia Dianne Merriman, age 71 of Martinsville, gained her angel wings on Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022, at 8:17 am surrounded by loved ones. She had put up a fearless fight with lung cancer and had spent the past several months in the comfort of her home, being affectionately cared for by her family. Dianne, as many knew her, was one of five children born to the late Russell Paul and Vivian Janette (Nash) Miles. Her life began on Friday, May 18th, 1951, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
With a deeply rooted family tree in Martinsville, Dianne considered herself to be one of the many legends of Martinsville. She felt honored growing up in Martinsville, where her parents once owned and operated The Bait Shop, as well as The Wild Cherry Inn on State Road 67. As her life expanded, Dianne acquired several alias s such as, Mommy, Granny, Hippie, Aunt D, Pattycakes, Baby Sister, Pumpkin Pie, and even, Gangster Grammy. She was small, but very mighty!
She had been a longtime member of the NRA and ABATE of Indiana Region #7. During the 1990 s, Dianne coordinated several of the Annual Ridge Runners Romps in Brown County, Indiana. She loved attending concerts, singing karaoke, bird watching, collecting crystals, mushroom hunting, all types of music, riding dirt bikes, doing elaborate puzzles, and playing games, especially the dice game, 10,000. Most would agree that Dianne was a connoisseur of spiritual and natural living who loved the outdoors and all things peaceful!
On her 65th birthday, she retired from The Walt Disney Company after working as a cosmetologist at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, from 2007 2016. Her career at Disney included taking care of the animatronic figures, performing characters and the street equity performers. She returned to her hometown in Martinsville upon retirement, where she had lived the past six years of her life.
Dianne s life and legacy will be remembered and cherished by so many friends and family including her two sons, Leslie Dean Langley of Gosport, IN, and DuWayne Lee Shanafelt of Nashville, IN; two daughter, Lori Christine Bass and Shawn Elizabeth (husband, Chris) Winchester both of Martinsville, IN; one brother, Tony (wife, Blanche) Miles of Martinsville, IN; two sisters, Judy (husband, Mel) Mason of Martinsville, IN, and Carol (husband, Bob) Sarber of Florida; eight grandchildren, Tyler and Zachary Bass, Steven Shanafelt, Alisha, Leslie, Clayton Langley, Seth Brown and Dylan Lawson; seventeen great grandchildren, and countless nieces, nephews, cousins and adopted family members whom she loved dearly.
Along with her parents, Dianne was preceded in death by one brother, Ronnie Miles.
Family and friends are invited to visit on Monday, August 29th, 2022, from 11:00 am 1:00 pm at Neal & Summers Funeral and Cremation Center in Martinsville. Following the visitation, those wishing to attend the graveside service and burial are asked to meet at 2:00 pm in Nebo Memorial Park.
Memories and condolences are encouraged to be shared with the family online at nealandsummers.com