Diane M. Benner, age 70, Bloomsburg formerly of Lehighton, died suddenly on Saturday, September 10, 2016, in Bloomsburg. Diane was a resident of her Mt. Pleasant Township home for over 22 years.

Diane was born on Saturday, November 10, 1945 in Lehighton, daughter of the late Gilbert L. and Pauline E. (Walck) Benner. She was a 1963 graduate of Lehighton Area High School. She was a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church of Lehighton, PA.

Diane was active in the Boy Scouts of America starting out as a Den Mother and advancing to a representative for the Minsi Trails Council for youths in the Anthracite, Pocono Mountain and Lehigh Valley Regions. She even had the opportunity to travel to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico on several occasions for advanced leadership training.

Diane was, to put it mildly, a collector of Teddy bears. Her collection of bears and Teddy-bear-related items numbered in the thousands. She also enjoyed doing crafts, playing cards and being with her friends.

Diane’s true passion, though, was Emergency Services. Through years of classes, seminars, and training in the EMT and Emergency Communications fields she became an instructor in those same fields. Diane was a member of the Bloomsburg Ambulance Association for over 30 years. For many years she was Chief Deputy Coroner of Columbia County serving under Coroner Dr. Alley. Diane was a Columbia County emergency services dispatcher for over 17 years. She was a lifetime member and an instructor for APCO International. For many years Diane was an auditor for Mt. Pleasant Township.

Currently she was employed by Greater Columbia Medical Transport as an EMT at the Sober Room at Bloomsburg University.

Survivors include her son, Chad M. Benner and wife, Kim; a grandson, Garrett G. Dieter, all of Palmerton, PA; two brothers: David Benner of Yuba City, CA and Dean Benner and companion, Doreen Miller, of Landsford, PA; also a sister, Donna, wife of Victor Leidy of Lehighton, PA.

A time of visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, September 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Allen Funeral Home, Inc., 745 Market at Eighth St., Bloomsburg.

A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. at the Bloomsburg Fire Department Social Hall, 911 Market St., Bloomsburg on Wednesday, September 21, 2016.

A memorial service will also be held the following week at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Lehighton with internment to follow at Franklin Heights Cemetery also in Lehighton. Service details will be published in a future edition of the Press Enterprise.

Contributions in Diane’s honor and memory are suggested to the family or any local Emergency Services Organization.