Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared
//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143128/143128-life-panel.jpg

Diana M. Corning

April 27, 1941 - April 5, 2023
Kalamazoo, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143128/143128-01.jpg



Visitation

Friday, April 14, 2023
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
Texas Corners Bible Church
7780 South 8th Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Web Site

Service

Friday, April 14, 2023
11:00 AM EDT
Texas Corners Bible Church
7780 South 8th Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49009

A luncheon will be held in the church hall after the service.

Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Texas Corners Bible Church
7780 S 8th Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Taylor's Florist and Gifts
215 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-6256
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143128/143128-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143128/143128-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143128/143128-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143128/143128-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg
Print

Diana M. Corning was born April 27th, 1941, and passed away peacefully on April 5th, 2023, in Kalamazoo, MI surrounded by her family at Rose Arbor Hospice facility.

Diana lived life for family and faith. She led with her heart and never hesitated to give of herself to others. She welcomed each day as a gift and always found blessings in every moment. Diana devoted herself to the care of her family, leading by example and supporting her loved ones in every possible way. An inspiration to all who were blessed to know her, Diana will long be remembered and so very missed.

Diana, the third child of the Lambert family, grew up in an active home. Along with her older sisters, Sandra and Gail, and younger brothers, Paul, John, and Peter. She and her brother Paul, who is a year younger and born on her birthday, shared an especially close bond, earning the nickname of "double trouble."

In 1959 Diana’s life was about to change. It began when her sister Gail introduced her to Dave Corning, and they had their first official date on New Year's Eve. That night, Dave told her that “one day I’m going to marry you”. After graduating from Kalamazoo Central High in1959, the couple married at Wayland Methodist Church on July 3, 1959.

Dave was given a plot of land by his father on the family farm to build a home. He first built a garage where they would live for the first four years of their marriage while Dave built their house. The home had lots of love, and with hard work and determination, they made it work. While living there, Diana and Dave welcomed their first child Catherine. Later the family would grow to include their son Stephen.

Diana taught the children by example, modeling the value of hard work and enjoying her kids’ activities. The family worked side-by-side on the farm harvesting vegetables, fruit, and eggs for sale to the public. In 1986 they started Corning Westside Greenhouse as well. She rewarded them by paying them a fair wage for their hard work. She also was employed at Rambling Road Pediatrics for several years.

Diana kept an immaculate home, was a good cook, and taught many valuable life lessons. One of the lessons handed down to Diana from her mother was the importance of cleanliness and would sometimes make the comment, “soap is cheap, so there are no excuses for being dirty”. Diana was an amazing mother and role model having a special relationship with both of her children. Diana (Grandma Corning) loved family gatherings and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren have great memories about Grandma’s special brownies with frosting on top, she always made them fresh and from the heart.

Faith & Family was the cornerstone of Diana's life. Diana and David attended Calvary Reformed Church for some years and are now currently members of Texas Corners Bible Church. She enjoyed Bible study and helping whenever possible. With her faith as her guide, Diana never complained about the circumstances of her life; instead, she focused on the many ways she was blessed and how she could make life even better for others.

Without a doubt, Diana's greatest joys were her family and her home. Though she and Dave liked traveling and enjoyed memorable trips to Hawaii, Europe, Arizona, Pike's Peak, and North Carolina, her favorite place was home. She felt most comfortable in the home she and Dave created together, where she enjoyed reading books and gathering with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She embraced sharing her life with her family and nurtured special relationships with each of them. Being their greatest fan, she enjoyed cheering them on, encouraging their dreams, and watching them grow up. As her family grew to include 8 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, Diana's joy grew beyond measure.

While life feels a bit empty in the absence of Diana's passing, may we find comfort in our many treasured memories. We also find comfort in the honor of caring for Diana's legacy of faith, hope, and love forward. In each moment as we face life's challenges, give of our talents and encourage our loved one's dreams as we celebrate the many ways Diana gifted our lives. In this way, we keep her spirit alive and inspiring others as she so inspired each of us.

Diana was preceded in death by her Parents Freeman Lambert & Patrilla Martz and her siblings; brother, John Lambert; sister Gail Harrison; and brother-in-law, Eldon Wallace. Surviving is her husband David Corning; 2 children: Catherine (Greg) Pendowski and Stephen (Marca) Corning; 8 grandchildren: Joshua (Cassandra) Corning, Cara (Jeremiah) Hopkins, Lauren (Andy) Werkema, Katelyn Pendowski, Travis Corning, Emily (Shane) Huisken, Mitchell Pendowski, and Jared (Josie) Pendowski; 18 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings: Sandra Wallace, Paul (Elaine) Lambert, Pete Lambert; brother-in-law, Ron Harrison; sister-in-law, Patsy Lambert, and several nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place. On Friday, April 14th please join us for Visitation from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with a Service that will begin at 11 am at the Texas Corners Bible Church, 7780 S. 8th Street, Kalamazoo. Visit Diana's webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign her guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to the Texas Corners Bible Church.

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143128/143128-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143128/143128-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143128/143128-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143128/143128-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg