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Celebration of Life Ceremony: 11 a.m. Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora
Interment: Bible Grove Cemetery
Visitation: 10 until 11 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home
Shelby “Diana” McKnelly, age 82, of Bible Grove, Illinois, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 14, 2022.
Diana was born in Wayne County to Vernard and Lillian “Toots” (Merrick) Ile on April 9, 1939. She was united in marriage to Roy Dale Fitch in 1956, and he preceded her in death in 1990. She later married Roger McKnelly in 1995, and he preceded her in death in 2010.
Diana had a zest for life and always gave of herself for others. Over the years she was a homemaker, custom seamstress, school cook at Bible Grove and then Louisville following school consolidation, and finally the Hampton Inn breakfast hostess until she retired at the age of 70. When asked why she waited so long to retire, she replied, “What else would I do?” She enjoyed many hobbies over the years including mowing her yard twice a week, caring for her flowers in the yard, and sitting on her porch and visiting. She enjoyed craft shows, shopping, attending the Edgewood Opry, and going to eat fish at the Tin Cup in Noble. She was a great cook and loved feeding anyone who visited her home. She always stocked the refrigerator with sweet tea and Pepsi.
She is survived by a daughter: Janice (Tom) Brooks of Louisville; grandchildren: Aszure Fitch of Louisville, Larissa (Joe) Goodman of Xenia, Whitney Fitch of Edgewood, Sarah (Deric) Newby of Louisville, and Jonathan Fitch of Las Vegas, Nevada; 9 great-grandchildren: Maci Harmon, Layton Dawkins, Connor Dawkins, Mylee Hilderbrand, Jaxton Easley, Navalynn Fitch, Broderick Britz, Lauren Newby, and Rhett Goodman; special friend: Bud Bailey; brother: Randy (Sib) Ile of Minerva, Ohio; sisters-and-brother-in-law: Karen Kilby of Kinmundy, Barbara (David) Dennis of Flora, Ron Fitch of Mt. Carmel, Carolyn Fitch of Ogden, Barbara Ile of Mt. Vernon; many nieces and nephews; and her faithful pup, “Barney.”
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands: Roy Dale Fitch and Roger McKnelly; a son: Donald Allen Fitch; and 2 brothers: Clinton “Gene” Ile and Charles “Chuck” Ile.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Interment will follow in Bible Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be 10 until 11 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to Clay County Hospice and will be accepted through the funeral home. The family would especially like to thank Flora Gardens Care Center for the special care they provided for Diana. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
Jul 20, 1934 - Apr 14, 2024
Nov 1, 1976 - Apr 13, 2024
Aug 31, 1955 - Apr 12, 2024
Apr 22, 1958 - Jan 18, 2024
Feb 25, 1973 - Mar 26, 2024
Our deepest sympathies are with you all during this time. Praying for comfort.
Janice and family....so very sorry to hear of your loss. Your mother was always so friendly and I'm sure she will be so very missed. Sending you our love.
Sorry for your loss. Diane was a super sweet lady.
Janice and family. I was saddened to learn of Diane's passing. She always treated me very nicely while I was married to Jerry and was very helpful when he died. May you find comfort in your memories. God Bless
Janice, So very sorry to hear about your mother. She was a special lady! My sympathy at this difficult time.
My heartfelt condolences for your loss Janice and Tom. I have such wonderful memories of your mother. I was texting Wesley about how I learned to ride a bike one weekend there. Praying for your family in your hour of loss. Cousin John
Thinking & praying for you all during this difficult time. We enjoyed being neighbors of Diana for almost 30 years.
Janice, so sorry for yor loss. Prayers for peace and comfort.
So sorry for your loss. Continued prayers for peace and comfort in the days ahead
Janice, so sorry for your loss. Loosing them is so hard but sometimes keeping them here is even harder. Praying that you are finding comfort knowing she is dancing on the streets of gold now.
Janice: We’re saddened to hear of your mom’s passing, she was a such a nice lady and she’ll be missed in our community. Our sympathy to you and the rest of your family.
This woman was a staple in my best friend, Whitney’s, life. She was a kind soul and will be dearly missed.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
