Dianne M. Russ

​Dianne Marie Russ, 77, of Vandalia, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 9, 2026.

​Dianne’s life began on August 7, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York, born to the late Carl Austin and June Alma Crequé. An intelligent and remarkably driven woman, Dianne had a rare ability to identify her goals and pursue them with unwavering determination. Early in her career, she served in the office of Mayor Daley in Chicago. She later began a long and successful tenure with GTE (later Verizon), where she started by answering phones and worked her way up to become the Regional Supervisor of Human Resources.

​Beyond her professional achievements, Dianne was a woman of immense creative talent. She was an exceptional seamstress, crafting clothing for her sons and exquisite gowns for Tuma's Bridal Shop in Fort Wayne. Her skills were legendary; she could repair almost anything, from delicate curtains to family blankets. Dianne was also a gifted artist with a sharp eye for fashion and a lifelong love for puzzles and games. She spent countless hours challenging her sons to Scrabble, board games, and crossword puzzles.

​A true animal lover, Dianne felt a connection to every dog she met. Though she lived in many places throughout her life, she found her true "safe place" and home at Paradise Lake in Vandalia, Michigan. It was there that she built a legacy of family memories that will endure for generations.

​Dianne is survived by her two sons, James Douglas Mathews and Andrew Benton Russ, both of Fort Wayne; four grandchildren, Iyanna Janaé, Russ, Aliya Marie Mathews, Nevaeh Reneé Russ, and Arya Teshay Russ; her brother, Carl Austin and (Karran E.) Crequé of Flossmoor, Illinois; two nieces, Taja Beane and Kylah Eagan; and two stepdaughters, Aryann Kristine Vasser and Darice Russ.

​The family will gather for a private remembrance to honor her life. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Wagner Family Funerals, Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis.

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