Diane Dold

Diane Doane Dold Champaign - Diane Dold passed away at the age of 95 on Nov. 1, 2025. Diane Delores Doane was born on June 3, 1930, in Sioux Falls, S.D., to Iola Mae Marsh Doane and James Percy Doane. She had two older brothers and one younger sister. She passed away in her own home, which was her expressed wish. In her high school years, Diane became involved in the Baptist Youth Fellowship at the First Baptist Church, Sioux Falls, S.D. The Rev. Dr. August M. Hintz, pastor of the First Baptist Church, was especially instrumental in her life. Diane's association with the church became the cornerstone for her faith. After high school, Diane accepted the sub-secretary job at the First Baptist Church and began taking classes at Sioux Falls College. In 1949, Diane was selected for a service-oriented three-month trip to Europe culminating in the Third Baptist World Youth Conference in Stockholm, Sweden. Dr. Hintz then secured a full scholarship for Diane at his alma mater, William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo. Diane graduated in 1953, and Dr. Hintz, who had become the pastor of North Shore Baptist Church in Chicago, offered Diane the position of church secretary. Diane moved to Chicago and was invited to Sunday dinner by church members Helen and C. Norman Dold. At this Sunday dinner, Diane met Charles (Chuck) Norman Dold Jr. Diane and Chuck were married in 1954 by Dr. Hintz at North Shore Baptist Church in Chicago. In the mid-1960s, the family with four children settled at Busey Avenue in Urbana, which was home for the next 48 years. Self-improvement through education was important to Diane, who received her master's degree in Library Science from the University of Illinois while Chuck was finishing his Ph.D. Diane had a career as librarian in the Urbana Public School District, with her long-time position as librarian of Leal School. For many years, Diane was active in the First Baptist Church of Urbana and later, the First Baptist Church of Champaign at Savoy. She held positions with organizations such as the American Association of University Women and the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Guild. Diane and Chuck hosted international students. Their bridge group met for years, and the four couples took trips to Jekyll Island, Ga. Diane and Chuck wanted to meet people and experience other cultures. They traveled throughout North America and to many other countries. Special travel included serving with a mission trip to Zaire, witnessing the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, and visiting their Italian "daughter," Laura Giugnini, and her family in Sardinia, Italy. In their late 80s, Diane and Chuck took a coach trip through the Canadian Rockies. Diane loved the arts, especially music. Diane was an accomplished knitter and sewer, and an excellent cook who entertained frequently. In 2014, Diane and Chuck downsized to a smaller home in Champaign. In 2020, Diane's nephew, Tom Unzicker, moved to their home to help with driving and provide companionship. After Chuck passed away in 2021, Tom continued to help Diane. Diane leaves four children: Nancy Dold, Carolyn Stecher (Don), Sharon Dold (Bruno Behrend), and Charles Norman Dold III; three grandchildren: Kristin Doshi (Rushabh), David Stecher (Emily), and Emmeline Talbot; four great-grandchildren: Mira, Maya, and Avi Doshi, and Alexandra Stecher. The family gives special thanks to caregivers Lara Canales and Brandi Lewis for their tireless devotion, positive encouragement, and exceptional efforts. Even with health set-backs and diminished vision and hearing, Diane retained her indomitable spirit and continued to amaze everyone with her ability to rally and recover. For the past three Thanksgivings, Diane traveled to the Portland, Ore., area to celebrate with her three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Diane is remembered for her faith-based service; her commitment to education and self-improvement; her quest to experience and understand other cultures through travel; her passion for advocating for arts; and her dedication to family, friends, and community. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.