About Dianne

Dianne was born in Winchester, Indiana on February 1, 1947, to Phyllis Ann Dwiggins and the late Donald Dwiggins, where her love of music began and was nurtured in the Dwiggins household. 

Dianne graduated from Lee L. Driver High School in 1965.  She continued to pursue music at Ball State University, where she graduated as a voice major with a B.S. in education in 1968 and later earned a M.A. in music in 1976. 

Dianne met Max when they were assigned an instrument locker to share in the music building at Ball State in the Fall of 1966.  On July 13, 1968, Dianne and Max were married at College Avenue Methodist Church in Muncie, with Max’s father, John Paul, officiating. 

Dianne began her teaching career as an elementary music teacher in Parker City and Farmland, Indiana and also later taught at Eaton, Winchester and Concord Schools in Elkhart.  In 1981, Dianne gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Gavin, and took an extended break from teaching. 

Over the 30+ years of teaching vocal music and assisting Max with his Indiana high school marching bands, Dianne touched an overwhelming number of students who have reached out, even in recent months, to share their heartfelt memories. A common theme is the recognition of Dianne’s dedication to teaching, enthusiasm for life, positive energy, love of all children, and commitment to the pursuit of happiness through music. 

Families, parents, colleagues and students consistently thanked Dianne for the extra effort and significant contributions she made year after year.  Apparent to everyone who met Dianne was the standard of excellence she brought to everything, from Spring and Christmas programs to Circle the State with Song to marching band rehearsals, and even her famous Halloween witch cackle that delighted teachers and students alike.  

Dianne retired from teaching in 2007, when she and Max moved to Lafayette permanently to be closer to Purdue University for Max’s appointment as Assistant Professor of Bands.

While Dianne spent a significant part of her life committed to music and education, she and Max always put family first.  Dianne recalled her break from teaching while Gavin was young as the most wonderful time.  

Dianne will be most remembered for her exceptionally beautiful singing voice, her passion for music, her humor, her love of shopping, her fashion sense and most of all, her radiant smile that lit up any room. 

Dianne Dwiggins Jones (71), a remarkable and beloved elementary music teacher, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 1, 2018, at home in Lafayette, Indiana surrounded by her husband, Max Jones, son, Gavin Jones, family and friends.  Dianne was born with a congenital heart defect and for the last five years, although she struggled with advanced heart failure, continued to enjoy and live her life to the fullest.