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Diana Lee Rader (nee Saraka-Biniek), wife of Bryan Gail Rader, Christian lady, loving mother and friend to all, peacefully slipped from this life to join the Lord in Heaven from her home in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, on Nov. 6, 2024, after a long battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) a terminal lung disease.
Diana Rader was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 21,1943. The ninth of 11 children born to John Saraka and Helen Holodick Saraka, Diana grew up in the family home in the North End of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. As happens in large families, the siblings help each other and the older siblings mentor the younger ones. Diana's mentor growing up was her older sister, Winifred (Winnie) Gail Saraka Pugh. Diana graduated from James M. Coughlin High School in Wilkes-Barre with the class of 1961. At Coughlin Diana played violin in the district orchestra, sang in the district chorus, was a reporter for the school newspaper, played wing on the school field hockey team, was a strutter for school athletic events and other school functions, and was part of a volunteer group that visited the elderly during the Christmas holiday.
After high school graduation, Diana decided to strike out on her own and moved to Bedford, Massachusetts, where she met her first husband, Paul E. Biniek Sr. Along the way Diana lived in Massachusetts, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, and she and Paul welcomed daughter, Kristina Lynn Biniek, and son, Paul Edward Biniek Jr., Diana and Paul moved to Mt. Holly Springs, Pennsylvania, bought a home and settled in. Diana cared for the children and sold Avon products. She took pride in sewing clothing for the family (including some fantastic Halloween costumes), and enjoyed gardening, canning, and baking various festive Christmas cookies. Later, she worked for Nationwide Insurance and then at the Mechanicsburg Navy base. As well, she was a CCD teacher at St. Patrick's Church for years. Always one to strive to make the most of her life, Diana decided to pursue a new career as a paralegal when her daughter went off to college.
While continuing to work full-time, Diana earned her associate degree at Harrisburg Area Community College and then took a paralegal position with the Department of Justice in Richmond, Virginia, where she worked until she retired from the federal government in 2005 and moved back to Carlisle, Pennsylvania. After retirement they moved back to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and Diana worked as office manager for Biniek Specialty Contractors for seven years before fully retiring. Paul and Diana enjoyed 49 years of marriage that ended with his passing in 2010.
Along the way, Diana's son, Paul, and Tawyna Wagner gave Diana twin grandsons, Sean Lee Biniek and Seth Morrison Biniek. Diana loved caring for the twins and joining them for family vacations at the beach. Diana's daughter Kris married Canadian Guy Barnett, and Diana welcomed and doted on grandchildren, Ari Biniek Barnett and Lila Biniek Barnett, visiting them often and planning their annual Easter celebrations.
In 2012, Diana met Bryan Gail Rader, a widower, and the son of Jessie Gail Rader and Texie Mae (Williams) Rader of Mill Creek, West Virginia. They quickly found they had similar backgrounds, values, interests, and family ties. The courtship was short, and they were married on Feb. 14, 2013, in Bryan's hometown, Mill Creek, West Virginia. They each owned a house, Bryan in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, and Diana in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. They sold these houses and bought "their house" in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, in which they resided until Diana's death. Diana and Bryan enjoyed each other for over 11 years and were happily married doing everything together. From Bryan's family Diana gained new son, Kenneth Gale Rader, new daughter, Teresa Elaine Straseskie (nee Rader), new grandson Nathan, Bryan Mathew Rader, three new granddaughters, Madison Aya Sheriff (nee Straseskie), Jaiden Yvonne Straseskie, Gabrielle Muki Pullen, two new great-grandsons, Landyn Alexander Romain and Oliver Dean Sheriff, as well as one great-granddaughter, Elaina Jane Rader.
Diana is survived by two sisters, Sharon Saraka Ashton and Helen Saraka Pugh, who both live in the Wilkes-Barre area of Pennsylvania. Diana was proceeded in death by brothers, Michael John Saraka, John Spencer Saraka, Norman Thomas Saraka, and Thomas Richard "Tim" Saraka. Diana was proceeded in death by sisters, Mildred Carolyn "Millie" Saraka Silveri, Irene Lilian Saraka Spilman, Evelyn Ann Saraka Lisoski and Winifred Gail "Winnie" Saraka Pugh.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Hoffman Funeral & Cremation. Web site https://www.hoffman fh.com/, 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle, PA 17013.
According to her wishes, her remains will be placed in a columbarium at Fort Indiantown National Cemetery, Annville, Pennsylvania.
Contributions in memory of Diana can be made to Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Parish Office, 152 Pomfret Street, Carlisle, PA 17013, phone (717) 243-4411.