Diana Rader

Diana Lee Rader (formerly Biniek, née Saraka), a Christian lady and beloved wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, peacefully slipped from this life on November 6, 2024. She died in her home in Boiling Springs after a long illness with IPF, which she faced with remarkable grace and courage.

Diana was born in the General Hospital in Wilkes-Barre, PA on October 21,1943. The ninth of 11 children born to John Saraka and Helen Holodick Saraka, Diana grew up in the family home on Washington Street. As happens in large families, the siblings help each other, with the older mentoring the younger. As a child, Diana’s mentor was her older sister Winifred (Winnie) Gail Saraka Pugh. 

Diana attended Guthrie Elementary School and graduated from James M. Coughlin High School in the class of 1961. At Coughlin, Diana played violin in the district orchestra, sang in the district chorus, was a reporter for the school newspaper, played wing on the school field hockey team, was a strutter for school athletic events, and was part of a volunteer group that visited the elderly during the Christmas holiday.

After high school graduation, Diana struck out on her own and moved to Bedford, MA, where she met her first husband, Paul E. Biniek, Sr. Diana was introduced to Paul by his sister, Marie Catherine Biniek Hudak, who was Diana’s best friend. During Paul’s service in the Coast Guard, they lived in Massachusetts, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Diana had always loved children and she and Paul were delighted to welcome daughter Kristina (Kris) Lynn Biniek and son Paul Edward Biniek, Jr. The family settled in Mt. Holly Springs, PA, where Diana cared for the children and sold Avon products. She took pride in sewing clothing for the family (including some fantastic Halloween costumes), and enjoyed gardening, canning, and baking various festive Christmas cookies. Later, she worked for Nationwide Insurance and then at the Mechanicsburg Navy base. As well, she was a CCD teacher at St. Patrick’s Church for years.

Always one to strive to make the most of her life, Diana decided to pursue a new career as a paralegal when her daughter went off to college. While continuing to work full-time, Diana earned her associate degree at Harrisburg Area Community College and then took a paralegal position with the Department of Justice in Richmond, VA, where she worked until she retired from the federal government in 2005 and moved back to Carlisle, PA. She worked as Office Manager for Biniek Specialty Contractors for 7 years before fully retiring. Paul and Diana enjoyed 49 years of marriage that ended with his passing in 2010. 

Along the way, Diana celebrated when her son, Paul, and Tawyna Wagner gave Diana twin grandsons, Sean Lee Biniek and Seth Morrison Biniek. Diana loved caring for the twins and joining them for family vacations at the beach. Diana’s daughter, Kris, married Guy Barnett, and Diana welcomed and doted on grandchildren Ari Biniek Barnett and Lila Biniek Barnett, visiting them often and planning their annual Easter celebrations.

In 2012 Diana met Bryan Gail Rader, a widower and the son of Jessie Gail Rader and Texie Mae (Williams) Rader of Mill Creek, WV. Diana and Bryan quickly found they had similar backgrounds, values, interests, and family ties. The courtship was short and they were married on February 14, 2013. They made a new home for themselves in Boiling Springs, PA. Diana and Bryan were grateful to have found each other and cherished every day of the more than 11 years they had together. They loved each other’s families, and they did everything together, enjoying traveling for the first several years of their marriage, and with Bryan caring for her and buoying her spirits as her health declined in recent years.

Diana is survived by two sisters, Sharon Ashton and Helen Pugh. Diana was preceded in death by brothers Michael John Saraka, John Spencer Saraka, Norman Thomas Saraka, and Thomas (Tim) Richard Saraka; and by sisters Mildred (Millie) Carolyn Saraka Silveri, Irene Lilian Saraka Spilman, Evelyn Ann Saraka Lisoski, and Winifred (Winnie) Gail Saraka Pugh. In addition, she is survived by her husband Bryan, children Kris and Paul, and four grandchildren, as well as a daughter and son, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren from her husband Bryan’s family.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 18 at 11 AM at Hoffman Funeral & Cremation at 2020 W. Trindle Rd, Carlisle, PA 17013. Her remains will be placed in columbarium at Fort Indiantown National Cemetery at a later date. Contributions in memory of Diana can be made to Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Parish Office, 152 Pomfret Street, Carlisle, PA 17013, phone (717) 243-4411. 

From all of us, we love you and miss you. May you rest peacefully.