Martha Diane (Midkiff) Wright passed away on November 7, 2026, at Silver Crest in New Albany. She was 88 years old.
Diane was born in Hartford, Kentucky, to the Reverend Harold Midkiff and Hazel Marie (Whobrey) Midkiff. The family, including brother Danny Ray Midkiff, moved to Hatfield in 1953. Diane then attended and graduated from Luce Township High School, where she met J. Wayne Wright, between the 8th and 9th grades in school. They were married by her father at the Hatfield Methodist Church on August 31, 1958, at 19 and 20 years old.
Wayne passed away on March 4, 2005.
Diane was an educator at heart, like several relatives from the Midkiff family and her daughter Janet. She was a teacher’s assistant at Luce Elementary, an elementary teacher in Kentland, and worked in the library at South Spencer High School. She later taught English as a Second Language at the University of Evansville. She also taught at Harlaxton College, Grantham, England. She and Wayne both graduated from the University of Evansville, as did Danny Midkiff, Jerry W. Wright, Jr., Bradley H. Wright, and Janet Lynn Wright-Stites, and Brittney M. Wright-Hughes.
Diana and Wayne shared a fascinating career. They spent over 20 years at the Federal Land Bank, 20 years at the University of Evansville, and a foray into international agricultural banking while they lived in Saudi Arabia. They were lifelong learners and travelers all their lives, and through 44 years of marriage. While in Saudi Arabia, Wayne played a Kenny Rogers eight track constantly, incessantly in his car. He sang neither often nor well, except for “Through the Years” which he sang for Martha both often and well. A few of the lyrics follow:
I can’t remember when you weren’t there
When I cared for anyone but you
I can’t imagine anything the two of us can’t do
I’ve learned what love’s about by loving you
The sweetest days I’ve found I’ve found with you
I’ve loved the life we’ve made
And I’m so glad I’ve stayed
Right here with you
Through the years
She is survived by her children, Jerry W. Wright, Bradley H. Wright (wife Ketsia), Janet Lynn Wright (husband Ken); grandchildren Aaron Wright (wife April), Maegan Wright Geeslin (husband Kevin), Dr. Brittney Wright Hughes (husband Ethan), Shelby Stites and Lexie Stites; great-granddaughter Aubrey Rose Wright, brother Danny Midkiff (wife June), in-laws Oletta Kay (Wright) Doan, Cleon Wright, several Midkiff and Wright nieces and nephews and numerous Whobrey cousins, many of whom still live in Owensboro, Bowling Green, and Hartford, Kentucky areas.
Services were held November 11 at Boultinghouse Funeral Home in Rockport, with a public viewing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and a funeral service at 1 p.m., followed by a short graveside service at James Parker Cemetery, Hatfield.
A reception was held at the Hatfield Methodist Church. Diana was a 50-year member of the New Albany/Floyd County Indiana Kappa Kappa Kappa or Tri-Kappa Philanthropy Sorority.
Contributions may be made to the Floyd County Tri-Kappa Chapter. Please make contributions or contact the chapter at newalbanyNU@tr-Kappa.org. Donations can be mailed to Carol Cook at 4224 Treesdale Dr. Sellersburg, IN 47124.
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