Diana Marlene Pendleton

Diana Marlene Pendleton, age 62, of Jefferson City, passed away at her home on Saturday, September 5, 2020. She was born in Granite City, Illinois, on June 17, 1958, daughter of Harold and Lillie Dorane (Ahart) Pendleton. She graduated from St. Elizabeth High School in 1976, and later received her RN degree from Lincoln University School of Nursing. She spent her career working in nursing homes and specializing in geriatric nursing. Prior to her retirement in 2014, she was a Health Facilities Nursing Consultant, in addition to a CMS surveyor, for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. She loved the outdoors and hiked, walked, biked, skied and canoed at every opportunity. Her love for the outdoors and athletic pursuits was surpassed only by her devotion to her pets and animals in general. She also enjoyed the gym and had been a body builder for a number of years. Diana was devoted to her parents and their care. She had been a caretaker on a Central Missouri Honor Flight for her father, her uncle and a friend. She was steadfast with her mother's care until her passing in 2018, keeping vigil at her bedside. She was a lively, engaging and dear friend to so many and recently rekindled her relationship with her extended family and spent much time with them. She will be sorely missed. She is survived by her father, Harold Pendleton of Tuscumbia; brother, Mike Pendleton and wife Lynn of Tuscumbia; two nephews, Brett Pendleton and wife Chelsea of St. Elizabeth and Bart Pendleton and wife Chelsea of Ulman; and numerous aunts, uncles, family and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Lillie Pendleton. A private graveside service will be held in Tuscumbia for the family, with a public memorial service/celebration of life within the next few weeks. Arrangements are under the direction of Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in Iberia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Callaway Hills Animal Shelter and Central Missouri Honor Flight in her name.