Dianne Johnson Cartmel, 87, of Brownstown, Indiana, passed away on October 4, 2023, peacefully surrounded by her loving family.

Dianne was born on August 6, 1936, in Indianapolis, Indiana to Alvin C. Johnson, Sr. and Doloras  “Dee” Elsner Johnson (Montgomery). She was a graduate from Shortridge High School in 1954 and from Indiana University in 1958, where she established lifelong friendships with her sisters of Pi Beta Phi.  She went on to marry her college sweetheart, Dr. Jerry P. Cartmel, on December 21, 1958. They were together 65 years.  She was a devoted member of Seymour First United Methodist Church.

Dianne had a multitude of accomplishments to her name.  Those for which she was most celebrated included the Indiana Historical Society, where she served as Chairman and Board Member for a decade, Board of Directors of the Indiana State Museum, Board of Directors for Indiana Historic Landmarks, and key advisor to the Jackson County History Center. Dianne received the Eli Lilly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 for her extraordinary contribution to Indiana history.  Over and above, she was a recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash honor presented by Governor Robert Orr for her exemplary service to Hoosier causes.

Dianne leaves behind a lifelong legacy of giving back to her community. She was instrumental in forming the Southern Indiana Center for the Arts. She was also part of the Tri Kappa and All Thumbs Garden Club. Closest to her heart was involvement promoting statewide services for disabled Hoosiers that included her eldest child, Scott.

Dianne loved her country and worked with the Pentagon as a volunteer during the first Gulf War supporting families of deployed personnel.  She was selected to the national committee that developed the present day Military Family Support system.  Locally she started a youth camp for military dependents of soldiers stationed at Camp Atterbury.

For her family when she wasn’t baking cookies with her grandchildren, creating beautiful floral centerpieces with the hydrangeas from her garden, or hosting dinners for family and friends, Dianne could be found in her art studio painting or researching her family history.

Dianne is survived by her husband Jerry, four children, Scott, Julianne, David (Stacy), and Patrick (Michelle); five loving grandchildren, Caleb, Ian, Parisa, Aidan, and Killian. She is preceded in death by her parents, Alvin Johnson, Sr. and Doloras Elsner Johnson, and her older brother Al Johnson, Jr. (July 2021).

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 9, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church, 201 E. 3^rd Street, Seymour.  Rev. Teresa Poole will officiate a funeral service to follow at 1:00 PM at the church.  Dianne will be laid to rest at Riverview Cemetery in Seymour, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Jackson County Historical Society, 207 E Walnut St, Brownstown, IN 47220, or to the KCARC (Knox County Association for Remarkable Citizens), 2525 N. 6^th Street, Vincennes, IN 47591.

“My dearest family, If I am not with you and you want to talk, look up to the heavens and I will be watching you and listening.  You have been my joy!  Love, Mother.” Mother’s Day, 5/14/17

Online condolences may be shared with the Cartmel family at www.vossfuneralservice.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Voss & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services, Seymour.

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