Diane L. Harkness

Diane L. Harkness, age 85, of Battle Creek passed away Saturday morning, May 30, 2020. She was born in Battle Creek on November 23, 1934, the daughter of Dale S. and Doris B. (Whitcomb) Chidester.

Diane was raised in Battle Creek, attended Battle Creek Public Schools until the 10th grade, transferring to Lakeview High School and graduated with the Class of 1952. She then graduated from the Felt & Tarrent Comptometer School in Grand Rapids. Diane was first employed by the Kellogg Company as a Comptometrist.

Diane met Jack W. Harkness on a blind date to a Lion's Club function. They married at the First Congregational Church, Battle Creek on February 19, 1955. They began their family with John arriving in 1956, James in 1957, and Julie in 1958. When the children reached school age, Diane returned to work, first at Community Hospital for a short period in the Collections Department and then for Ashley Dairy for 4 years as a Comptometrist. Diane then started work as a secretary for the Battle Creek Public Schools at WK Kellogg Jr. High, the Administration Offices, Urbandale Elementary and Adult Education. She retired on June 30, 1995 after 25 years. In her retirement, she also worked as a substitute secretary.

Diane was a member of the East Leroy Congregational Church. She was a former member of the First Congregational Church in Battle Creek, and a Charter Member of its 23rd Circle. Diane was a Charter Member of the Battle Creek Lioness Club and a former member of the Cereal City Lions Club. She enjoyed dancing, playing cards, reading, traveling, collecting lions, and spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jack on July 6, 1991; by her son, John D. Harkness; her daughter-in-law, Karen Harkness; and her parents, Dale S. & Evelyn M. (Steve) Chidester.

Surviving are her son, James G. Harkness of Battle Creek; her daughter, Julia Lynne (Donald) Van Syckle of New Berlin, Wisconsin; 8 grandchildren, Megan Skaggs, Ashley Hayes, and Seth Harkness of Kentucky. Lisa Nichols, April Sherrill, and Brian Sherrill of Michigan, Matt Van Syckle and Lacey Van Syckle of Wisconsin; 15 great-grandchildren Camden Skaggs, Xander Skaggs, Amelia Kate Hayes, Serenity Harkness, Kinley Harkness, Destiny Nichols, Skylar Nichols, Tyler Mahoney, Katie Sherrill, Isabella McAllister, Tyler Haywood, Jeremy Haywood, Dylan Haywood, Michael Sherrill, Alex Sherrill; 3 great-great-grandchildren Lylah Springer, Ayden Springer and Jayce Springer; 3 brothers, David Chidester, Donald Chidester, and Douglas (Patty) Chidester; 1 sister, Jan (William) Jordan; several nieces & nephews, and her special friend Leonard Hart.

The family will receive friends 12:30 to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 25th at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek where a memorial service to celebrate Diane's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. The service may be viewed online by visiting https://vimeo.com/event/187595 or by visiting the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care Facebook page. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Memorials directed to the Cereal City Lions Club or the East Leroy Congregational Church, would be appreciated.