Diane M. Flory

Diane Marie Flory

August 31, 1938 - May 12, 2023

Diane Marie Flory, 84, of LaSalle, Michigan, died Friday, May 12, 2023, in her daughter Allison’s home surrounded by her children. She passed away from complications from Scleroderma. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, John Louis Flory.

She was born in Elkton, Maryland, on August 31, 1938, to John and Mary (Uckele) Krastel. She lived in many different states in her life with her parents and sister, Margaret Frank.

She met her future husband, John Flory, at Floral City Roller Rink. She went on to graduate from Monroe High School in 1956. Diane and John married on June 13, 1956, at St. John’s Rectory. They lived in LaSalle, Michigan, in the house built by her husband. She was a loving wife and a wonderful mother.

She was a librarian until she had children and then was a homemaker for many years. Once all of her children were grown, she was a cake decorator at Meijer. She was a member of the LaSalle Fire Department Auxiliary. She loved camping with her whole family at Jones Lake in Grayling, Michigan. She was known for her fancily decorated cookies, homemade baked goods, and candy. She is also remembered for the birthday cards that were adorned with handpicked stickers for everyone she loved. She was best known for the love she held for her family and for opening her home and heart to all her children’s friends, as if they were her own. She played Quiddler every night, and enjoyed playing Yahtzee, she loved to read, and enjoyed her Pepsi. 

She was a beautiful soul, with a kind heart, who made time to be caring to everyone. She always had a positive attitude and never complained.

She is survived by her six children: Yvonne (Andy) Flory Friedline, Annette (Timothy) DePelsMaeker, Bart Flory, Suzanne (Max) Martin III, Bret (Sharon) Flory, and Allison (Scott) Whitman. 16 grandchildren: Danielle (Jim) Vallade, Deanna (Chris) Shields, John (Dianna) Outten, Tara (Hardik) Joshi, Debbie DePelsMaeker, Clarissa (Trevor) Vanconant, Brynn (Joey) Saucedo, Sadie Martin, Emma (Todd) Janowiecki, Brook (Reginald) West, Brody (Mc Kenzie) Whitman, Max Martin IV, Louis Flory, Seth Martin, Brandon (Rylee) Whitman, Julia DePelsMaeker, and Levi Flory. 18 great-grandchildren: Michael Eversman, Landon Eversman, Hallee Windless, Alina Shields, Thomas Vallade, Kylee Busenbark, Brantley Busenbark, Corine Outten, Lily Vallade, Nathaniel West, Om Joshi, Asher Vanconant, Matthew Vallade, Dean Outten, Leon Joshi, Alex Vanconant, Calvin Janowiecki, Brexton Whitman; and Baby Ayla Vanconant on the way.

She is also survived by her sister-in-laws Angela DeLand (Gene - deceased), Ruth Masserant (Gerald - deceased), Louise Hempel (Ray), and brother-in-law Raymond Flory (Sharon). Diane was also preceded in death by her parents John and Mary Krastel, sister Margaret Frank and Everett, sister-in-laws: Agnes Nagel and Louis, Mary DeLand and Stu, and Martha Flory. She will be sadly missed by her most loyal K-9 companion, Belle, a beautiful Blue Heeler, who will continue to be loved by family. 

It was direct cremation by her request with no public service or memorial. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com

A sincere thank you to Elara Hospice, especially Nurse Danielle, for taking care of her during her last weeks of life. Any donations can be made to the Hospice of your choice. This is dedicated to a life well lived by the most caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Thank you for showing your love by sharing your baked goods and recipes.