Diane Eltzroth

Diane Elaine (Hofmeister) Eltzroth, 81, of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 25, 2025, surrounded by her three children. Diane was mentally sharp to the very end, and she made her own decision to enter hospice care. She was at peace.

Diane was born on November 17, 1943, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Fred and Elizabeth Hofmeister. Diane was the third of six children, and her upbringing left a deep and lasting impact on her life. She often reflected on her childhood, saying: “Growing up next door to Christ the King School and Church, which all my siblings and I attended, meant that the Catholic Church was one of the three greatest influences and effects on my life. The second was the family of six children and two overwhelmed parents in which I grew up, and the third was the financial insecurity of my father’s business. The church was the center of our world with its CYO sports, parish festival, Christmas programs, First Communion, Mary’s May programs, and more.” The family was deeply integrated into the Catholic community. Diane went on to attend Scecina High School, where she formed lifelong friendships. After high school, she went on to attend Marian College (now Marian University). She worked at the CYO office to help pay tuition during her college years.

Being a Catholic teenager that was very interested in politics, Diane was ecstatic when John Kenndy was elected president in 1960, and her goal became to finish college and join the Peace Corps. However, after completing training, she was one of the 20% that was sent home. But where one door closes, another one opens, and she then began work at Catholic Social Services as a child welfare caseworker. After being home for a few months, she was set up on a blind date with Joe Eltzroth. The two got engaged on Valentines Day of 1968 and married ten weeks later on May 4, 1968.

The two could not have been from more different backgrounds and had such different personalities, but they were totally committed to their family and remained married for 55 years. They had 3 children that are best friends and have 8 grandchildren that they absolutely adored. Their family legacy has been their greatest gift.

Diane had several jobs throughout her life, but the one that gave her the most joy and pride was teaching at St. Simon’s Catholic School for 25 years. She always said it was an honor and a privilege teaching her students. She was most known for her 8th grade trips to Washington DC, which she planned and lead for 19 years.

Diane was a lifelong learner with a curious and adventurous spirit. Her passion for travel began after college when she took her first trip to Europe with her friend Donna. They traveled on $5/day staying in hostels and eating cheap. The financial strain of raising a family limited her travels while her kids were young, but once they were through college, she took off again. She spent a month in China and 3 weeks in New Zealand with a group of retired and current teachers. She and her husband traveled across the United States multiple times, took several trips to Europe, as well as cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean. She loved traveling with Rhodes Scholars, and her most recent trip was to New England just last year. It was amazing that she was still traveling solo at 80 and had a marvelous time! Some of her favorite vacations were spent with the family at the beach, where they gathered every other year.

Diane’s advice to others was: Find your passion- whether it be in love, profession, or a meaningful cause, find the thing that drives you. Even in retirement, Diane pursued passions of traveling to new places, sharing history with others through her volunteer work at Indiana Landmarks, and growing in her faith through her involvement at St Pius X.

She is survived by her children: Derek (Kim) Eltzroth, Katie (Brad) Horton, and Tracy Murphy, as well as her grandchildren: Greta, Holly, and Rhett Horton; Emma and Liam Murphy; and Lily, Mady, and Ava Eltzroth. Siblings: Gary Hofmeister, Carol Hofmeister and Ellen Cronin.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joe Eltzroth, and her son-in-law, Brian Murphy, parents: Fred and Elizabeth Hofmeister and brothers: Fred and Greg Hofmeister.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM with a calling from 10:00-11:00 AM and a peace meal following the service. Friends and family are invited to gather and honor her memory. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St Pius X Catholic Church or Marian University.