Diane Lynne Cleres, age 62, of Reading, PA passed away peacefully on October 20, 2026 in St. Joseph's Medical Center. She went home to be with the Lord and is reunited in heaven with her parents and loved ones.

Born on November 8, 1963, Diane's life has been a testament to living an unconventional life by challenging the expectations of societal norms for those born with Down Syndrome. Diane's loving and compassionate family understood the value of God's gift of life and because of that, they chose a path that was different than what was expected at the time of her birth; Diane lived with them and was included in everything they did.

Diane enjoyed family picnics, holidays, gatherings and camping with "Camp Run-A-Muck" friends. Diane was also an avid traveler. Her favorite place to vacation was Disney World, where she loved hugging Mickey and Minnie Mouse. She also looked forward to staying with her "Aunt Kitty and Uncle Jim" in Florida and would fly there by herself each year. Other places of travel included attending her nephew's wedding in Cancun, Mexico and visiting family in various states.

Diane had a special gift for greeting people and bringing a smile to their faces. She especially liked to flirt with men with beards and would tell them they were "cute". She was known for teasing friends and family by giving funny nicknames to the people she loved, such as "Hot Dog", "Old Lady", "Big Foot", and "Poopsy"; and she was affectionately known as, "Snickelfritz", "Baked Bean", "Honey", and "Sassy Pants".

Diane loved music and singing and spent hours sitting in her rocking chair and listening to "her tapes" on Saturday mornings. She enjoyed a variety of music and could sing all of the songs from her favorite movie, "The Sound of Music". She took organ lessons for decades and played hymns and other songs from her childhood memories. She also enjoyed going to Elvis impersonator concerts with her caregivers.

Diane participated in the Special Olympics and in Camp Fire Girls with her friends. She enjoyed hobbies that included crafts such as painting, ceramics, and making latch hook pillows. Diane was an avid bird watcher and would laugh when the squirrels would be on the birdfeeder outside her kitchen window. When relaxing, she would spend time looking at her "Birds and Blooms" magazines.

Diane graduated from VoTech and then worked at Prospectus Berco for over 35 years. She took great pride in her vocational work and developed friendships and skills that she used in her everyday living.

Diane's parents were dedicated to raising their family to know and follow Christ. Learning about God's love was important to Diane. Diane was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Mt. Penn, and later became a member of West Lawn United Methodist Church. Over her years at Faith Lutheran Church, she was in the Cherub Choir and would play the organ on many occasions. At WLUMC, she volunteered by helping with the church newsletter mailings and also volunteered at their Wednesday night suppers by handing out the trays in the Community Center. Each Sunday after church, Diane enjoyed her weekly routine of "after church Sunday meals" at various diners where the waitstaff came to know and love her. Diane also participated in the monthly gatherings at "Festival of Faith".

Diane was blessed to be able to spend her entire life living in her family's homes. Over the last 10 years, she was lovingly cared for in her home in West Lawn by her "Team Diane" caregivers who became family. She loved the attention she received and often liked to remind them that she was "the boss". Their loving care and dedication enabled her to fulfill her goal of living "independently" in her home surrounded by people she loved.

Known for her empathy, spunky spirit, and direct honesty, Diane leaves behind a legacy of quick wit, a sense of humor, and a warm hug filled with compassion. Diane lived a full and "independent" life filled with love and support from her family and friends.

Diane is survived by her sister Sharon Hogan, her brother-in-law Jim Hogan, and her nieces and nephews, Kelly (Jason) Ricker, Matt (Kristyn) Hogan, David Hogan (Britta Ambauen) and great niece Fera Ambauen. Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Marian K. Cleres and Philip L. Cleres.

A private graveside service will be held at Forest Hills Memorial Park. A public Celebration of Diane's Life Service will be held in Spring 2027 at West Lawn United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support the Special Needs Ministry of the Tim Tebow Foundation in memory of Diane Lynne Cleres -https://timtebowfoundation.org/donate

Lutz Funeral Home, Inc., has been entrusted with arrangements.