Diane Harsha

Diane Lenore Wellman Harsha of Okemos, MI passed on in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 10th, two weeks shy of her 88th birthday. Diane is preceded in death by her husband James Lewis Harsha, and two sons James Timothy Harsha and Thomas Steven Harsha. She is survived by her daughter Rebecca Harsha McKee and two grandsons Kevin and Kyle, daughter in law Diane Harsha and granddaughter Melanie Harsha, and daughter in law Lynne Harsha and granddaughter Ellen Harsha as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Diane was born to J. Foster Wellman and Irene Wellman of Akron, OH on October 24th 1932. The youngest sister of Joan, Mary, and Beverly , and older sister of Jim. Diane’s story started at Akron East High School where she a cheerleader, had her eye on a handsome young man on the basketball team by the name of Jim Harsha. Jim was naturally shy. Diane took the bull by the horns and asked Jim to a date on a hayride, the rest is history.

Diane and Jim were married and welcomed their daughter Becky in 1953. After that, Diane, Jim, and Becky spent a brief time at Fort Benning Georgia while Jim was enlisted in the army. Upon returning to Akron, they welcomed their son Tim Harsha and third child Thomas Harsha a short time later. Jim’s rapid acceleration within the Motor Wheel Company brought their family to Franklin Valley, MI, a suburb of Detroit. Diane and Jim were very active in their social circle there as well as in the community surrounding their children’s schools and high school football. Further promotion in Jim’s career would move them again and Diane and Jim found their forever place in Okemos, MI. Diane found a job as the administrative assistant to the athletic director of the Okemos Chieftans, a position she greatly enjoyed. Diane and Jim joined Walnut Hills Country Club which became one of their greatest joys in life. At Walnut Hills, Diane a s Jim made many friends and cherished summer days on the golf course and at the pool with their kids and grandkids. Diane also loved spending time at a family cottage in serene Muskoka Lakes, Ontario. Diane and family vacationed here in the summertime for nearly forty years. Together, Diane and Jim also enjoyed visiting Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and spent several winters in Gulf Shores, Alabama post retirement. Diane was a lover of antiques and above all her Spartan football and basketball. In addition she was an accomplished bridge player and that weekly activity meant a lot to her. Finally she had great faith in god and was an active attendee of The Okemos Community Church.

Diane was a devoted and beloved wife and mother, and a wonderful grandmother who spoiled her grandkids at every opportunity she had. She was a gracious hostess and friend with an unforgettable laugh and aura that made everyone she came in contact with feel warm and welcome. She will be greatly missed but lovingly remembered always. There will be a memorial service planned for spring/summer of 2021.