Born: November 02, 1939

Died: September 03, 2011

Services: Funeral services will be on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the Clemente Funeral Home in New Middletown.

Visitation: Friends may call on Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Clemente Funeral Home in New Middletown.

NEW MIDDLETOWN - Diane Jeanne (Lauffer) Heberling, 71, died peacefully on September 3, 2011 at Hospice of the Valley in Poland, Ohio following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Diane was born November 2, 1939 in Natrona Heights, PA, the daughter of Deane and Mary Emogene (Arner) Lauffer. She graduated from Freeport High School in Freeport, PA in 1957 and continued her education at Youngstown State University. While at YSU, Diane pursued both her degree in education and her lifelong passion for music. She became a highly accomplished musician and an extraordinary French horn player. Diane married her beloved husband Richard Curtis Heberling on June 11, 1960, and together they celebrated over 51 years of marriage. In 1961 she took her first full time teaching position at New Springfield Elementary as a second grade teacher. She continued her teaching career in Germany from 1963-1965, when her husband, then SPEC5 Heberling, served in the US Army in Heidelberg, Germany. While in Germany Diane and Richard welcomed son, Richard Scott Heberling born February 9, 1965. Upon returning from Germany, she returned to the Springfield Local School system, where she remained until she retired in 1997. Throughout her career, Diane touched the lives of thousands of students and inspired many to pursue their own love of music and teaching. In addition to her work in education, Diane was actively involved in the community. For over 20 years she directed the All Faith Choir, which performed in a variety of venues throughout the community. In addition, she was an active member and leader in the Youngstown Area Community Concert Band from 1985 until 2010 and performed with the Canfield Community Band from 1990 until 2006. Diane was also an active member of the New Middletown Free Methodist church for over 35 years and a leader in the music ministry program. A loving and devoted mother and grandmother, Diane will be greatly missed by her son, Richard Scott (Tamara) Heberling of Newport News, VA; her daughter Michele Lynn (Edward) Heberling of Uniontown, OH and grandchildren Tanner James Heberling of Great Falls, Ontana; McKenna Lynn and Brodie Austin Heberling of Newport News, VA and Chase Edward Ujhazy of Uniontown, OH. Diane was also looking forward to the birth of her fifth grandchild expected this November. Diane will also be lovingly remembered by her brother Deane (Elizabeth) Lauffer of Otto, North Carolina and her sister Dawn (Chuck) Taylor of Freeport, PA. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Cemetery: Petersburg Cemetery (Map)

Location: Clemente Funeral Home, New Middletown (Map)