05/07/2004: USUA is very sad to report that Diane Ahlman, wife of USUA founder and past president John Ballantyne, passed away Wednesday, May 5th, 2004. The following obituary was published in The Frederick News-Post Friday, May 7, 2004.

Diane Ahlman (Click on picture to view full size image)

"Diane Ahlman, 58, of 8393 Fordham Ct, Union Bridge Maryland 21791, died Wednesday, May 5, 2004 in her home.

She was the daughter of James F. and Ann N. Ahlman and was born in Cleveland Ohio, on May 22, 1946. On May 22, 1977, she married John L. Ballantyne.

Diane was a 1964 graduate of Riverside High School, Painesville Ohio; received a Bachelors Degree from California State University, Northridge. She went on to become a licensed Registered Nurse and continued her education to receive an Adult Nurse Practitioner Certification. Later she became a Licensed Electrologist in the state of Maryland.

Diane founded her own business, Electrolysis of Frederick, in 1986. She operated continuously until shortly before her death. Diane was involved with Frederick Theatre for many years. She also loved ultralight and airplane flying with her husband.

In addition to her husband and father, she is survived by her brother, Lawrence J. Ahlman and his wife Carole of Chocowinity N.C., and her sister Joyce Ahlman of Painsville. Nieces include Johanna Ahlman, Beth Ahlman Zingler, Stacy Ahlman Trevor and numerous cousins.

Friends may call at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church St., Frederick, on Friday May 7, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 8, from the Etchison Memorial Chapel of the funeral home.

Interment will be held at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, 9501 Catoctin Mountain Highway (U.S. 15 N), Frederick.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Ovarian Cancer Association, 27 Park Road, Toronto ON Canada, M4W 2N2, or call 1-877-413-7970."

During the first critical years of USUA's existence, the headquarters of the United States Ultralight Association operated out of the basement of Diane and John's home in Libertytown, MD. Diane most graciously endured the excitement and hardship associated with sharing your home with a business. Showing her support for ultralight aviation, Diane also attended many meetings, conventions and fly-ins. While unknown to many, she played a significant part of the history of ultralighting in the US.

All who met her, could not help but be impressed with her intelligence, beauty, and passion for life. The accompanying picture was taken at one of the fabled USUA parties which marked the end of an Annual Meeting. While a more subdued picture could be used, this one shows the robust excitement Diane was known to exude. She was a great lady. She will be missed. USUA staff and Board Of Directors send our most heartfelt sympathies to John and family.

United States Ultralight Association, Inc.
Dale Hooper
Executive Vice President