Diana Rose Neumann, 66

On Aug. 16, 2026, Diana Rose Neumann went home to be with Jesus. She was at peace, surrounded by her family, and her last words were to say that she loved us. If you knew her well, you will be unsurprised to know that she was more concerned for her family than for herself.
Diana made family everywhere she went. She is survived by her husband, Dave Neumann; her children, Sarah Heinlein (Tim) and Joshua Given (Crystal); her mother, Eunice Kurtz; and her siblings, Debra Kennedy (John), Tim Schuett (Ana), Rebecca Schuett (Craig), Beau Schuett, Brianne Schuett-Turner (Robb), Paige Wisdom, and Jodie Kurtz-Osborne (Bill).
She was a loving grandmother – Grandma Didi, or just Didi – to Justin Heinlein, Kayla Heinlein, Landon Given, and Carter Given. She was blessed with nieces and nephews she loved like her own children: Nathan Kennedy (Christy), Ian Kennedy (Alyssa), Elisha Schuett (Asia), Izabelle Schuett, Gabriella Schuett, Ethan Schuett, Genevieve Schuett, Evangeline Schuett, Analiese Schuett, Braxton Schuett, and Sophie Turner, as well as a beautiful great-niece and great-nephews, Maddie Kennedy, Ben Kennedy, and Jack Kennedy.
But even that list leaves out too many people who were family to Diana. She had a remarkable way of making people feel loved and included, with special mention to Tom and the Given family and to her church family.
She was born on April 14, 1960, in Woodstock, Ill., where she grew up, graduated high school in 1978, and started a family. She put herself through college while raising two children, graduating from Rockford College in 1989 with a B.S. in Computer Science and a minor in Mathematics. One year later, she married Dave, a friend from high school who became her lifelong best friend and partner. Life took her on adventures across the country, from California, where her children live, to Florida, with her mom, with many stops along the way.
Diana was a compassionate and generous person who chose kindness even in the hardest times in her life. She dedicated her life to helping people, including raising her grandkids and, most recently, caring for her mother. When Diana saw a need, she joyfully sacrificed everything to meet it. These words are simply insufficient to capture who Diana was or to celebrate her character and impact on our lives. She left the world, and our lives, better.
Diana often expressed her love by giving gifts. She bought presents, gave money, picked up shells, and planned special celebrations. She never wanted anyone to be left out. If she was making food, she wanted everyone else to have food too. If she was running a race, she wanted others to run with her. And if she had something to celebrate, she wanted everyone to celebrate with her. She gave smiles, encouragement, and laughter as freely as she gave any other gift. As a result, she made everywhere feel like home and made everyone feel welcome.
She loved running — and race medals — from a very young age. She excelled as a runner and swimmer in high school and later completed several marathons and half marathons.
Maybe we should not be surprised that in this race, too, she was out in front.
Diana fixed her beautiful hazel eyes on Jesus and ran, with endurance, the race set before her. At times she traveled a difficult path. She may have been tired and sore, but she never grew weary or lost heart.
And if you knew her, then you know that today she is wearing her crown with joy, her strength renewed. She soars on wings like eagles; she runs and does not grow weary; she walks and does not grow faint.