Dianna Elizabeth Proctor

Dianna Elizabeth Proctor, age 69, of Tecumseh passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 22, at University of Michigan Hospital.  She was born to Daniel George and Elizabeth Jane (Steiner) Lauer on February 16, 1948, in her grandmother's farmhouse in Lucinda, Pennsylvania.  On February 20, 1970, she married her high school sweetheart, Roger Proctor, in Clinton.  He preceded her in death on July 4, 2016.

Diane enjoyed fond memories of her early childhood spent playing on her grandparents' farm before moving with her parents and brother from Pennsylvania to Clinton, Michigan, at the age of 7.  She attended St. Elizabeth's School and later graduated co-valedictorian of Clinton High School, Class of 1966.  The first of her family to attend college, Diane graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Michigan State University in 1970.

In 1973, Diane & Roger moved to Tecumseh and quickly grew to love the historic town and its residents.  She became active in the community, joining the Tecumseh Historical Society, Welcome Wagon, and Child Study Club.  While living in a Victorian house on Pottawatamie Street, Diane developed a love of historic homes and architecture, antiques, and historic preservation which culminated in the 1996 publication of her book Beyond the Boulevard: Historic Buildings of Tecumseh, Michigan.  In 2000, Diane was honored to receive the Musgrove Evans Award in recognition of her contributions to the quality of life in the community and efforts to make Tecumseh a better place in which to live.

Despite fighting a long and courageous battle with multiple sclerosis, Diane resolutely supported her children's activities and enjoyed an active social life with her friends.  Diane was also a parishioner of St. John's Episcopal Church in Clinton, where she recently served on the Bishop's Committee.  In later years, Diane took great joy from visits with her five grandchildren, and she came to enjoy close relationships with her devoted caregivers.  In 2016, Diane was shaken by the sudden death of her husband Roger, and came to rely more than ever on her extended family and close circle of friends, neighbors, and caregivers. 

Diane is survived by her son Jason (Bethany) Proctor of Bay City; daughter Marisa (Bruce Schlieman) Proctor of Honolulu, Hawaii; grandchildren Kellen, Marin, and Grady Proctor, Charlie and Nora Schlieman, and step-grandchildren Emily and Clara Schlieman; brother Daniel (Kathy) Lauer of Tipton, sister Jeanne (Lauer) Heft of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, sister-in-law Jackie Proctor of Clinton, brother-in-law Stuart (Cheryl) Proctor of Clayton, and many loved nieces and nephews.  In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents. 

Visitation for Diane will be held on Friday, August 25, at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes from 2:00-8:00 p.m.  Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, at the Clinton United Methodist Church in Clinton, MI, with Pastor Susie Shaefer officiating.  Visitation will be held in the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service, and burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Clinton.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, the Tecumseh Historical Society, or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.  Condolences may be offered to the family at www.handlerfuneralhomes.com.