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January 14, 2018
Services
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, January 18, 2018 from 4-8 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
A Memorial Service will take place on Friday, January 19, 2018, beginning at 11:00 AM at the Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church, 415 Boulevard, Pompton Plains.
Diane B. Kempf, age 47, of Parsippany, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 14, 2018. Her family stood sorrowfully, but lovingly by her side at the time of her passing into the arms of Jesus.
Diane came into this world in Somerville, NJ. She remained there with her parents and three older sisters until a job change for her father necessitated a move to Johnstown, PA when she was three years old. She spent her formative years there, graduating from Richland High School with the Class of 1988.
During those high school years Diane had the pleasure of spending summers with her aunts and uncles on their dairy farms in New York State. This made such an impression on her that she majored in Agricultural Business Management at Penn State University. While at Penn State Diane was involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) - an inter-denominational evangelical Christian campus ministry. It was there that she met Pete Kempf, the man she would eventually marry. Things were going well in college. Diane was pursuing a career that she was excited about, she was in love with a great guy, and she enjoyed the friendship of fellow students. But in her senior year (1992), a great challenge came with the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Buoyed by a very positive disposition, Diane remained strong and persevered – not in her own strength but in the strength of Christ through whom she could do all things (Philippians 4:13). This setback delayed graduation and the earning of her bachelor’s degree to that summer.
Immediately after graduation, Diane joined Pete and his whole family for a vacation to Nantucket Island. It was there while taking a walk to the beach together Pete asked for Diane to be his wife. Pete recalled with amusement he had to wait to pop the question while Diane finished eating her banana. Diane and Pete’s wedding date was set for Saturday, March 6, 1993. The day before the wedding there was a big snow storm - but most of their guests managed to make it anyway. Vows were exchanged at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Diane’s hometown of Johnstown, PA. After a reception at the church, the newlyweds headed out west to Sedona, Arizona and to see the Grand Canyon. They were amazed at the beauty of Arizona and enjoyed the snow along the Canyon’s rim.
Diane and Pete returned from their honeymoon and settled into an apartment in Parsippany. In 1997, they purchased their own home in Parsippany which is where Diane remained to the present. They settled into married life and Diane worked as an office manager, most recently with Harman Office Furniture in Whippany until the symptoms of the M.S. forced her to stop working in 1997.
As time went on, the Lord laid on Diane’s heart a desire for a family. Diane and Pete prayed for God’s confirmation, then forged ahead in faith. In 2004, they joyfully welcomed little baby Kimberly from Guatemala to be their own daughter. Three years later, in 2007, they adopted and welcomed Timothy, also from Guatemala. Diane adored her children and the feeling was mutual! Kimberly and Timothy have wonderful memories of their Mom playing with them and being the most encouraging mother a kid could ask for. She made sure they knew they were loved and that no matter how they did in life she’d always love them – just as God loves us.
In the past three years, Diane’s fight with M.S. took a downward spiral including becoming wheelchair bound in the fall of 2015. Then in November, 2016, she was diagnosed with Leukemia. Chemotherapy treatments were going well until she suffered a stroke. After a period of recovery, chemo was resumed but became too much for Diane. Despite all these challenges and disappointments Diane remained upbeat and positive, usually more concerned about the plight of others than herself. She drew strength from Joni Eareckson Tada – a Christian woman who became a quadriplegic from a diving accident in 1967. Because of her own experiences she formed the "Joni and Friends" ministry to help others with disabilities.
The love of her family and friends was a constant source of sustenance, and her faith in Christ gave her an especially peaceful perspective. Diane loved reading novels. She loved organizing her husband’s photos - getting them printed and putting them into numerous albums. As members of Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church, Diane and Pete shared the joy of being on the church’s missions committee for the past 16 years. Diane was dedicated to investing in endeavors with an eternal purpose. The last committee meeting she attended was on a cold night this past December, and she was thankful to be able to be in church on Christmas day.
Diane was the devoted wife of Pete Kempf; adored mother of Kimberly and Timothy Kempf; loving daughter of Martin and Evelyn Brasted of Johnstown, PA; dear sister of Karen and husband Joseph Bohn of Durham, NC, June and husband Jay Groff of Gordonville, PA, and Nancy and husband Vincent Davis of Parkersburg, WV; and dear aunt of several nieces and nephews.
Diane’s family also wishes to express sincere thanks to Nancy Immitt and Melody McQuaig for their help, love and support throughout the years, answering the call to do whatever needed to be done to support Diane. God bless you!
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Diane’s name are asked to consider a donation to Joni and Friends (www.joniandfriends.org/donate) or by sending a donation to PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376-3333
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, January 18, 2018 from 4-8 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
A Memorial Service will take place on Friday, January 19, 2018, beginning at 11:00 AM at the Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church, 415 Boulevard, Pompton Plains.
January 14, 2018
Services
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, January 18, 2018 from 4-8 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
A Memorial Service will take place on Friday, January 19, 2018, beginning at 11:00 AM at the Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church, 415 Boulevard, Pompton Plains.
Diane B. Kempf, age 47, of Parsippany, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 14, 2018. Her family stood sorrowfully, but lovingly by her side at the time of her passing into the arms of Jesus.
Diane came into this world in Somerville, NJ. She remained there with her parents and three older sisters until a job change for her father necessitated a move to Johnstown, PA when she was three years old. She spent her formative years there, graduating from Richland High School with the Class of 1988.
During those high school years Diane had the pleasure of spending summers with her aunts and uncles on their dairy farms in New York State. This made such an impression on her that she majored in Agricultural Business Management at Penn State University. While at Penn State Diane was involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) - an inter-denominational evangelical Christian campus ministry. It was there that she met Pete Kempf, the man she would eventually marry. Things were going well in college. Diane was pursuing a career that she was excited about, she was in love with a great guy, and she enjoyed the friendship of fellow students. But in her senior year (1992), a great challenge came with the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Buoyed by a very positive disposition, Diane remained strong and persevered – not in her own strength but in the strength of Christ through whom she could do all things (Philippians 4:13). This setback delayed graduation and the earning of her bachelor’s degree to that summer.
Immediately after graduation, Diane joined Pete and his whole family for a vacation to Nantucket Island. It was there while taking a walk to the beach together Pete asked for Diane to be his wife. Pete recalled with amusement he had to wait to pop the question while Diane finished eating her banana. Diane and Pete’s wedding date was set for Saturday, March 6, 1993. The day before the wedding there was a big snow storm - but most of their guests managed to make it anyway. Vows were exchanged at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Diane’s hometown of Johnstown, PA. After a reception at the church, the newlyweds headed out west to Sedona, Arizona and to see the Grand Canyon. They were amazed at the beauty of Arizona and enjoyed the snow along the Canyon’s rim.
Diane and Pete returned from their honeymoon and settled into an apartment in Parsippany. In 1997, they purchased their own home in Parsippany which is where Diane remained to the present. They settled into married life and Diane worked as an office manager, most recently with Harman Office Furniture in Whippany until the symptoms of the M.S. forced her to stop working in 1997.
As time went on, the Lord laid on Diane’s heart a desire for a family. Diane and Pete prayed for God’s confirmation, then forged ahead in faith. In 2004, they joyfully welcomed little baby Kimberly from Guatemala to be their own daughter. Three years later, in 2007, they adopted and welcomed Timothy, also from Guatemala. Diane adored her children and the feeling was mutual! Kimberly and Timothy have wonderful memories of their Mom playing with them and being the most encouraging mother a kid could ask for. She made sure they knew they were loved and that no matter how they did in life she’d always love them – just as God loves us.
In the past three years, Diane’s fight with M.S. took a downward spiral including becoming wheelchair bound in the fall of 2015. Then in November, 2016, she was diagnosed with Leukemia. Chemotherapy treatments were going well until she suffered a stroke. After a period of recovery, chemo was resumed but became too much for Diane. Despite all these challenges and disappointments Diane remained upbeat and positive, usually more concerned about the plight of others than herself. She drew strength from Joni Eareckson Tada – a Christian woman who became a quadriplegic from a diving accident in 1967. Because of her own experiences she formed the "Joni and Friends" ministry to help others with disabilities.
The love of her family and friends was a constant source of sustenance, and her faith in Christ gave her an especially peaceful perspective. Diane loved reading novels. She loved organizing her husband’s photos - getting them printed and putting them into numerous albums. As members of Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church, Diane and Pete shared the joy of being on the church’s missions committee for the past 16 years. Diane was dedicated to investing in endeavors with an eternal purpose. The last committee meeting she attended was on a cold night this past December, and she was thankful to be able to be in church on Christmas day.
Diane was the devoted wife of Pete Kempf; adored mother of Kimberly and Timothy Kempf; loving daughter of Martin and Evelyn Brasted of Johnstown, PA; dear sister of Karen and husband Joseph Bohn of Durham, NC, June and husband Jay Groff of Gordonville, PA, and Nancy and husband Vincent Davis of Parkersburg, WV; and dear aunt of several nieces and nephews.
Diane’s family also wishes to express sincere thanks to Nancy Immitt and Melody McQuaig for their help, love and support throughout the years, answering the call to do whatever needed to be done to support Diane. God bless you!
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Diane’s name are asked to consider a donation to Joni and Friends (www.joniandfriends.org/donate) or by sending a donation to PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376-3333
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