Diane Elizabeth Reichel

REICHEL, Diane Elizabeth, age 87, of Kettering, OH, passed away on Friday, May 29, 2026. She was born on September 24, 1938, in Jamestown, New York, to the late Axel and Vinie Jones. Diane spent her early years in Jamestown before her family relocated to Cleveland, where she graduated from John Marshall High School. From a young age, she had a thoughtful and adventurous spirit, with a passion for science, engineering, and music, and had dreamed of becoming an astronomer.

She attended Kent State University from 1956 to 1958, studying Home Economics and minoring in Business Administration. She continued her education at Sinclair Community College from 1958 to 1959, studying Business Administration.

Diane began her professional career as an accounts receivable clerk at E.F. MacDonald Co. from 1958 to 1959 in Dayton, Ohio. From 1960 to 1966, she worked as the office manager at Seaway TV & Electronics Service, a business she owned and operated with her husband, Roland, whom she married in 1959.

After dedicating time to raising her three sons, Diane returned to school and attended Wright State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in Accounting. She graduated cum laude in 1990.

Later, Diane served as a cook-manager with the Kettering City Schools Food Service Department from 1974 to 1986. She then worked as a Finishing Department Office Manager and Production Planner at Advertising Display Company from 1986 to 1994. Diane concluded her professional career as an accountant at Millat Industries, where she worked from 1994 until her retirement in 2018.

Keeping true to her adventurous spirit, Diane loved family time filled with bicycling and sailing, and she was a licensed pilot, truly embracing life across land, sea, and air. She especially cherished flying with her husband, Roland, to different airports just to enjoy lunches together.

She was an active member and Treasurer of Sinclair University’s Delta X Sorority, a member of the Lathrem Senior Center, and a participant in the Joyful Musicians Choral Group. Diane played the violin with the Civic Orchestra in Utica, Michigan, and had a deep love for both classical and jazz music. Music remained a lifelong joy.

Diane was a devoted member of Christ United Methodist Church in Kettering, Ohio.

Diane was preceded in death by her husband, Roland J. Reichel, in 2013, and her son, Dr. Gregory S. Reichel, DVM.

She is survived by her sons, Dennis (Cheryl Bostic) and Lee (Yvonne) Reichel; daughter-in-law, Dr. Wendy Odesky-Reichel, DVM; sisters, Kathleen (Curt) Neumann and Cindy (Bill) Jones; grandchildren, Taylor and Dean Reichel, Brandon (Mariam) Bostic, Lilly (Zach) Schoo, and Sean Reichel; great-grandchild, Rylee; and numerous extended family members and friends.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Road, Kettering, Ohio 45429. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at David’s Cemetery Mausoleum, 4600 Mad River Road, Kettering, Ohio 45429. Burial will follow at David’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice in honor of Diane’s lifelong love of music, learning, and adventure.

Diane’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Carlyle House Assisted Living and Ohio Living Bethany Hospice for the exceptional care, compassion, and support they provided to Diane and her family.