Diana Lee Pierson

Diana Lee Pierson, 76, of Palestine, Illinois, died Friday, August 2, 2019, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, Indiana after an extended period of declining health. Diana was born May 20, 1943, in Vincennes, the eldest daughter of Robert Vennard and Marie Churchwell. The record floods and levee break of that year forced her parents to bring her home in a boat to the family home in Russellville, Illinois. She often shared fond memories of Grandma Churchwell’s, escapades with friends in Russellville, and recollections of Mr. Beckes’ store and the social hub it was. On December 22, 1962, she married Larry Lee Pierson and moved to Palestine where they made their lives together for the next 56-and-a-half years. Before children, she worked for five years at L.S. Heath and Sons. Later, she managed books and scheduling for Larry’s television repair business, and after her boys were both in school, she began a 20-year career as school cook at both Palestine High School and Palestine Grade School. While a cook, she nurtured hundreds of students and faculty, always ready with extras of their favorites or simply to lend a listening ear. Since retiring, she enjoyed keeping up with all her students, lunches out with friends, and cooking for friends and family. Her greatest joy was spoiling her grandchildren. She attended the Palestine Outer West Market Church of Christ and also had a long-term affiliation with Palestine First Christian (Disciples of Christ). Diana is survived by her husband, Larry; two sons and their spouses, Eric and Bobbi, Anchorage, Alaska and Chris and Heather, Seabrook, Texas; her beloved grandchildren, Nicholas and Delaney (Alaska) and Aiden and Colton (Texas); and her brother and sister-in-law, Louie and Lynn Vennard. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Charles Vennard. Graveside services and burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 7th at the Pleasant View Cemetery (rural Palestine, IL), with Karren Greene officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Diana’s name to Palestine Grade School’s Lunch Fund for Needy Students, with checks made payable to “Palestine Grade School”. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine is in charge of arrangements.