Eustachia “Diane” Grubaugh, 75, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, May 3, 2015, at OSF Richards L. Owens Hospice House in Peoria surrounded by loved ones. Services will be held at Ottawa Funeral Home with Visitation on Friday, May 8 from 4-7pm, and a Memorial Service, led by Reverend Duane Kaufman, on Saturday May 9 at 11am. Diane was born February 8, 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Roy Eldon and Nellie Darlene (Hall) Knoedler. She married Donald Leonard Grubaugh on October 5, 1963, in a candlelight service at the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Ridge, IL. Survivors include: husband, Don Grubaugh of Ottawa; daughters: Dawn (Doug) Tedrick of St. Clair, MO; Elizabeth (Tim) Drea of Springfield, IL; son: Donny (Julie) Grubaugh of Streator, IL.; grandchildren: Cameron and Kyle Tedrick; Andrew, Bridget, Lillian and Jack Drea; Jacob and Piper Grubaugh; sisters: Shirley (Brian) Painter of Appleton, WI, Marcia (Pete) Strigin of West Lafayette, IN, and; brother: Roy (Dottie) Knoedler of Boulder, CO; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents. Diane attended Grand Ridge Grade School and graduated from Ottawa Township High School. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing in 1963. She was a practicing Registered Nurse for more than 40 years, beginning at Ryburn Memorial Hospital, then Community Hospital of Ottawa. She was Administrator of the Home Health Department when the hospital created the program and she spent nearly half of her career as a Home Health nurse. She was a compassionate health care provider who took great pride in being an advocate for her patients. Active in her community in countless ways throughout her lifetime, some of her volunteer activities included: school room mother, Cub Scout and Campfire Leader, tutor and mentor. Diane was a strong advocate for women’s rights; she took a keen interest in current events and loved to engage in lively conversations. Quick to put others at ease with her caring smile and warm laugh, Diane was a special gift to all those who knew and loved her. Among her many passions were reading, knitting, cooking, gardening, nature, learning, travel and dancing with her husband. The anchor of her family, she was nurturing and supportive providing unconditional love and encouragement, in return Diane drew great strength and enjoyment from her family and close friends. She will forever be a guardian angel over her grandchildren, who were her inspiration and biggest joy.
She was laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Park in the Shrine of Rest mausoleum in the Sanctuary of Seasons.
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