Diane L. (Applegate) Swartz

On July 7, 2007, a brother and a sister in Christ gathered their beloved ones in Tiffin, Ohio for a worship service with a wedding in it. Side-by-side that day, verse-by-verse, they proclaimed together 1 John 3:18-23; 4:7-21 and invited everyone to sing with them the hymn, Will You Let Me Be Your Servant. For almost 18 years, Diane and Al have “sung” the hymn; especially, the beginning of Verse 3 (I will hold the Christ-light for you) and Verse 4: I will weep when you are weeping; when you laugh I’ll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow till we’ve seen this journey through.

On Saturday, May 31, 2025, Diane & Al began leaning into that holding of the Christ-light for one another in a different way as Jesus freed Diane from cancer and renal failure, going to Jesus in Al’s arms. While we hurt to write these words to you, we invite you to sing with us, “The strife is o’er, the battle is done, now the victory is won.”

Diane L. Swartz was born to Donald L. and Beverly L. (née Tangeman) Applegate on September 30, 1957, in St. Marys, Ohio, the eldest of the soon to come “Applegate Girls”: Diane, Barbara (Mark) Brodbeck, and Donna (Kris) Ku:ner. Diane was raised in New Bremen, Ohio, grew up in the life-together of Zion Lutheran Church in St. Marys, became a middle school teacher (her niche) after graduation, and obtained a Master’s Degree in Education. Diane taught in Celina City Schools and Eastwood Local Schools (Pemberville, Ohio), retiring in 2014. Far more importantly are the joys of Diane and Al’s life: children, Heather M. (Barry) Steinke (Liberty Township, OH); Allison L. Rose (Chicago, IL); John R. Rose (San Antonio, TX); stepchildren, Anna R. Swartz and her fiancé, Grant (Perrysburg, OH), Benjamin A. Swartz (Groningen, Netherlands); grandchildren Matthew, Emily, and Audrey Steinke; nephew Joshua (Katya) Brodbeck; nieces Mackenzie, Jenna, and Aubrey Swartz. Diane enjoyed gardening, canning, and visiting national parks – the beauty of God’s creation. In retirement, Diane served as a librarian in the Birchard Public Library System branches of Gibsonburg, Woodville, and Fremont, Ohio. She enjoyed the young people of David Lutheran Church in Canal Winchester, Ohio where she initiated three youth ministries as well as being part of the vocal and bell choirs.

You are invited into a uniqueness and joy-sharing that Diane crafted just for you – springing from Diane & Al’s Family Holiday Gatherings known by the children and grandchildren as “Snack & Nap Days”. Worship on the day for us gathering to commend Diane into God’s care will be Thursday, June 12 at David Lutheran Church – Canal Winchester, Ohio (300 Groveport Pike). You’re invited to a brunch in Fellowship Hall as we Cherish Memories that are Forever Sacred, Sustained Together in Christ by Faith Stronger than Death. We’ll gather, laugh, and eat from 10-12, worship will begin at 12:30 with Reverend Mark Brodbeck officiating. Burial will be Friday, June 13 at 1:00 in Troy Twp. Cemetery (525 Krotzer Ave., Luckey, Ohio 43443). At noon, the family will receive visitors at the cemetery. For those unable to be with us Thursday or Friday, the Family invites you to visit with them on Wednesday, June 11 in the church’s Fellowship Hall from 4-7. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are encouraged to the Worship & Music Fund of David Lutheran Church – Canal Winchester, Ohio.

Diane’s Memorial Service will be live-streamed from the church: https://boxcast.tv/view/diane-swartzs-funeral-fuscwjw9ejhev1einkx4?fbclid=IwY2xjawKuyPxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFjYnlTTjBlOHVQWVpEa08xAR5Am-fMfL7CIzCMZyPbrQeVQPrMa-DqZPHQWE0kjeVPHaCIOvq6o42rFn0yOQ_aem_GvA2GB0ge93SMJAHSBQUQQ