Shirley 'Diane' Barnes

Diane {Rathgeb} Barnes, 68 of Oklahoma City, OK passed away in Muskogee, OK on May 28, 2026. She was born in Phoenix, AZ to Jack and Velma Rathgeb. When Diane was about five years old Her Dad, Mom and older sister Cathy Sue {Rathgeb} Kulonis packed up and moved to Garden Grove, CA. Joining her Dads Brother Uncle Bob Rathgeb, Aunt Linda with their five daughters. When arriving in CA. we all lived in the same Apartment complex in Garden Grove, CA. Our two families lived near Newport Beach and Corona Del Mar where she spent many weekends. Many great memories were made at the beach. There was also a favorite park nearby where we lived. Jack Fischer Park. The park is still there 63 years later. These were her favorite spots of her childhood. Diane with her sister, cousins and our moms went camping at Ortega Campground. This was a great memory for all of us. Diane graduated from Santiago High School in Garden Grove, CA Class of 1975. Her sister Cathy and 5 cousins Annette, Robin, Janet, Karen and Mary Sue. We all graduated from Santiago as well. Diane is very special to us, she is also our sister cousin. Dee is our Plus one. After graduating, she moved to Norco, CA near her mother. While in Norco, she enjoyed attending church. Dee has always had a love of cats and many other animals. Here in CA, Diane worked alongside her mother Velma for several years at ITT Canon, Santa Ana, CA before following her mother with her two sons John and Jake to Oklahoma in 1989. Diane made her home in Midcity, OK, moving on to Calvin, OK, and then Oklahoma City. John and Jake were making new lives of their own. Jake Blessed Diane with four beautiful grandchildren. Grandaughter Alexz and three grandsons Adler, Andrew and Hayden. Diane worked in an Elder Care Hospital in Oklahoma City for many years as a CNA. Diane has a beautiful caring heart. and enjoyed her time there caring for people who came into her life if just for a short time. Diane loved her job. The residents loved her. She had a great personality. and could always make them laugh. She was like this with her family and friends also. Family always said she would be a great standup comedian. This was a characteristic trait she got from her dad. Always fun and a joy to be around. Diane had retired early because she was experiencing health issues. She kept in touch with family members and friends always. She participated in Social Media that allowed her to spread her love and faith in GOD. Diane went through many trials and tribulations in her life but never wavered her faith in GOD. She had deep faith in the Lord. Her love stayed strong because she always knew GOD was at her side holding her hand. Diane soon met "The Love of her Life Bud Barnes". Bud and Diane were married in 2002. She loved her life with Bud. On March 4, 2013, after 11 years of marriage, Bud passed away. After Bud's passing, she wanted to return to her home in California that she missed so much and so many memories. Beaches, Parks, San Juan Capistrano and camping. She would always express she wanted to comeback but for the love of her sons and grandkids she stayed in Oklahoma. But she always had that dream. Thankfully we did bring her back to California for a 3-week vacation in 2017. Our time together was spent going to our favorite places. While her time in CA. we went down memory lane and spent a whole day visiting all the places we lived when arriving from AZ. 1964, We drove all around to see our elementary school, Jr. High and High School. We got out and walked all around the schools and quad and gymnasium, On another day we spent the entire day at Crystal Cove Beach in Corona Del Mar. Then we all watched the sun set. Diane was so happy here. During this time, she had us all laughing because she would say "Remember when" and that's when she would tell us a hilarious memory. She had a beautiful laugh we will remember always. During this visit we took a road trip to Arizona for a few days to see our father's younger sister Aunt Arlene and cousins Debbie, Susan, Connie and Cindy including some second cousins. She loved the trip. On our way there she saw the sign saying, "Entering Arizona" and said "wait I want a picture under that sign!". So glad we did. It was a wonderful adventure for us all to see our Arizona family. She returned to Oklahoma and Diane kept in touch with Janet most everyday facetiming over coffee talking about the kids and grandkids who are now growing up and making memories of their own. Diane and Janets time on the phone she talked of life and the passing years. But as always, she wanted to return to California, but it was just a dream for her. The years were passing and time slipped away. Diane expressed her love always to her family and friends and in parting she never parted or ended a phone conversation without saying "I LOVE YOU". Diane now in the later part of her life began experiencing the cruel illness of Alzheimer's gradually claiming her memories. Her California family always stayed in touch. Her cousin Mary Sue who moved from California two years ago to Texas, had traveled to visit Diane at the nursing home spending the day with her. Her illness that affected her communication, there were only three words Diane was only able to say was Yes, No, and I Love You. Other family members would call and would say "I Love You" before the call ended her last words would be "I Love You". Diane was a wonderful person. She will always be remembered with having a loving heart, her kindness and the laughter she brought to us all. To the devotion and love she brought to her sons and family. Our precious Diane will be forever missed. Thanks for the memories, Cousin/Sister Diane. You are in our hearts forever, Annette, Robin, Janet, Karen and Mary Sue. We are sending hugs to heaven. I Love You Deeder, Robin :} Diane is now resting in peace in the arms of GOD. Diane is preceded in death by her father John A. {Jack} Rathgeb, mother Velma Jo Rathgeb Long, sister Cathy Sue {Rathgeb} Kulonis, husband Bud Barnes. She is survived by her sons, John Christian Clement, Jacob {Jake} Gibson of Oklahoma. Grandaughter Alexz Gibson and grandsons Adler Gibson, Andrew Gibson and Hayden Gibson of Oklahoma. Nephew Joshua Kulonis, nieces Becky and Kelly Kulonis of Montana. First cousins Annette Mucha, Robin Rathgeb, Janet Hemenway, Karen Rathgeb of California. Mary Sue Evans of Texas. She leaves behind a numerous 2nd and 3rd cousins of California. Aunt Arlene Geise, sister of her father. First cousins Debbie, Susan, Connie and Cindy as well as 2nd and 3rd cousins. All of Arizona. A "Celebration of Life" will be held at Corona Del Mar Beach at a later date in her childhood home she loved so much in California in the coming summer months. GOD bless you Diane, till we meet again and may you rest in peace. The family of Shirley Diane Barnes has entrusted her care and cremation to Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home & Crematory, Muskogee, Oklahoma. (918) 910-8883. Online condolences with the Barnes family @ clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com.

Shirley 'Diane' Barnes

October 11, 1957 - May 28, 2026