Diane R. Schneider

Diane R. Schneider, 67, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, January 30, 2011 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:30 A.M. Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Rev. Gail Holman officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Friends may call from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Lakeland Hospice. Those wishing to sign Diane's Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Diane was born October 11, 1943 in Benton Harbor to Harry & Gertrude (Ziemke) First. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1961. Diane was employed by Whirlpool Corp., retiring in 2007 after 30 years. She was a member of St. Peter's Church where she enjoyed helping with the Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen. For many years she was an active member of Parents without Partners. Diane always enjoyed the time spent with her family, she was a devoted mother, grandmother and sister, and friend to many. She never met a stranger. Diane was an avid sports fan, rooting for the Green Bay Packers, and attending her nephew's & niece's baseball, basketball & soccer games. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Diane is survived by her daughter Misty (Randy) Couch of Coloma; her grandson Garret Couch, three brothers-Ronald (Diane) First of Dowagiac, Richard First of Stevensville, Douglas (Paula) First of Berrien Springs, her sister-in-law Suzanne First of Stevensville; and by six nieces & nephews whom she loved as her own children. She was preceded in death by her parents, and by two nephews-Jeffery First in 1963 and Eric First in 2007.