Diane Leonard Schlagenhauf

July 30, 1944 - July 2, 2016

Diane Leonard Schlagenhauf, 71, passed away on Saturday, July 2, 2016. Born in Stanley County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Neb and Juanita Leonard. A person of deep faith, the ministry of her life's witness was full of gracious selfless love. She was clothed in love and kindness, grace and dignity, full of joy and compassion, and forgiving of all. She was a member of Myers Memorial UMC and loved her church family. She was a proactive, loyal and committed best friend to many, a trustworthy confidante, advocate and mentor to any in need. She had a giving spirit and found ways to volunteer throughout her life with her church, Meals on Wheels and Cancer Services to name a few. Diane loved to garden, read, decorate and spend time with family and friends. She was a radiant spirit who loved her family and friends deeply, and cherished her role as "Grammy" and "Grandma" with her grandchildren. She was courageous and steadfast and she was our hero. She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Schlagenhauf was preceded in death by her husband, Claude "Skip" Schlagenhauf; brother, Mike Leonard, and grandson, "Baby" Randall Jacobs. Mrs. Schlagenhauf is survived by her children and their spouses, Randall and Misty Jacobs, Gregory Ronald Jacobs, and Robin Jacobs and Fox Smith; grandchildren, Jonathan, Richard, Fox and Jesse; step-children and spouse, Claude and Sherry Schlagenhauf, Mark Schlagenhauf, and Julianne Schlagenhauf Leonard; step-grandchildren, Lauren, Brittany, Courtney, Jakob, Emily, Ashley and Nathan; brother and sister-in-law, Perry and Pat Leonard; sister, Kay Deese; sister-in-law, Shaaron Leonard; step-sisters and step-brother-in-law, Gretchen Turas, and Claudette and Bob Forbes. Family and friends of Mrs. Schlagenhauf are invited to attend her spiritual homegoing beginning at 2:00 PM Saturday, July 9, 2016 in the sanctuary of Myers Memorial United Methodist Church. The Rev. Sally Queen and the Rev. Dr. Sydnor Thompson will officiate. Mrs. Schlagenhauf will lie in state one hour prior to the service and one hour immediately following the service. The family will receive friends and celebrate her life in the church family life center immediately following the service. Mrs. Schlagenhauf will be interred in the Old Salem Cemetery in Bluffton, Indiana at a later date. Flowers are accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Little Red School House, 301 S New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC 28054 or Cancer Services of Gaston County, 306 S Columbia St., Gastonia, NC 28054. Local arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton.