Diane Cruit

Doris (Diane) Cruit, 78, a retired speech language pathologist, passed away on July 11 at Newton Presbyterian Manor. Diane was born on November 2, 1944 in Dallas, Texas and was the oldest child of Harold and Dorothy (Colley) Roach.

Diane graduated from East High in Wichita, KS in 1963. After high school Diane went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Logopedics from Wichita State University and a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Diane was a devoted speech language pathologist for 30 years and worked for Butler County Special Education Cooperative, McPherson County Special Education Cooperative, the North Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative, the Cowley County Special Service Cooperative, and a few others. Diane loved her job and helping students accomplish their goals. She retired in 2006. 

On March 10, 1974, she married Mehl Cruit in Wichita, KS. Mehl and Diane shared almost 36 years together before his death in February of 2011. To this union were born daughters, Megan Elizabeth and Emily Denise. They loved being together, traveling, and spending time with their daughters and grandchildren.

Diane is survived by daughters Megan Zapata (Joaquin), Emily Dalke (Dustin); four grandchildren, Bryant Alan Dalke, Owen Daniel Dalke, Isabel Doratea Zapata, and Luca Melano Zapata; brother Michael Roach and sister Cathy Roach. She was preceded in death by her husband Mehl, her parents Harold and Dorothy Roach. 

Visitation will be from 5 -7 PM at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton Kansas on Thursday, July 13th. A graveside committal service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Wichita, KS on Friday, July 14th at 11:00 AM.