Diane Gildersleeve Pyle

Official Obituary of

 Diane Gildersleeve Pyle 

October 16, 1937 – January 5, 2026

Diane Gildersleeve Pyle, 88, of Emporium, PA, formerly of Oakmont, PA, died on Monday, January 5, 2026 at The Gatehouse, UPMC Inpatient Hospice, Williamsport, PA. with her three daughters by her side. She was born on October 16, 1937, in Wilkinsburg, PA, the daughter of the late Brunson Kirk and Jean L. Robinson Gildersleeve. On June 29, 1956, in Oakmont, PA, Diane married the love of her life, Floyd L. “Ernie” Pyle, who preceded her in death. They were married 65 years.

Diane was a 1955 graduate of Oakmont High School in Allegheny County and continued her education at Pinkerton Business School in Pittsburgh. Before starting a family, Diane worked at Gulf Research Center, and St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Oakmont. After moving to Emporium with her family in 1970, she continued her career as a nurse aide at the Guy and Mary Felt Manor, a secretary at the Cameron County Senior Center, and as a caseworker at the Office of Human Services, Area Agencies on Aging, Ridgway, PA. There, she pioneered the area’s first volunteer hospice program and retired as a casework supervisor, where she was known for her compassion, professionalism, and advocacy for others.

She was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Emporium, the Penn-Elk Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the local musical group Mountain Melodies. Her interests and talents were many. She enjoyed playing the bagpipe and the bodhran drum, party and event planning, genealogy research, and attending bible studies with local prayer groups. Diane’s creativity, faith, and warm spirit enriched the lives of all who knew her.

She is survived by her daughters: Amy Jo Mickle (Ronald) of Port Allegany, PA; Julie Pyle Childs of Emporium, PA; and Molly Beth Heraty (Patrick) of Greencastle, PA; two sisters, Jennifer Dunkle of Deltona Florida, and Adrienne Siciliano (Joseph) of Pittsburgh, PA, and a sister-in-law, Sara Gildersleeve of Oakmont, PA.

Diane is also survived by six grandchildren: Brian Mickle (Ellen Scherer), Kyley Anderson (Mike), Juniata Childs (Ross Mather), Donald Childs (Loralei Miller), Madeline Brook (Brian), and Sean Heraty (Bridget Arnoult); and five great-grandchildren: Otto Robert Mickle, Sarah Harlow Mickle, Eden Jane Childs, Micah William Brook, and Virginia Diane Brook.

In addition to her parents, Diane was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Floyd L. “Ernie” Pyle, two brothers, Rev. Robert K. Gildersleeve, and P. Eric Gildersleeve, and her beautiful niece, Jada Jeanne Calhoun.

A Requiem Eucharist will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 144 E. 4th Street, Emporium, PA, on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11:00 AM, with Rev. Matt Ryan as celebrant and Pastor Joann Piatko as concelebrant.

Contributions in honor of Diane can be made to The Gatehouse Hospice, 1100 Grampian Boulevard, Williamsport, PA 17701

Online Condolences may be placed at www.BarnettFuneralHome.net

BARNETT FUNERAL HOME, Inc. entrusted with arrangements.