Diana Kay Kinder

In Loving Memory of
Diana Kay Hillen Kinder

Diana Kay Hillen Kinder died peacefully at home in Granite City, Illinois, with her husband and daughter by her side on October 22, 2025, at about 11:30 am.

Diana was born on December 12, 1942, to Kennett and Vivian Hillen in Granite City, Illinois. She was the oldest of three sisters affectionately known as the "Three D's": Diana, Deane, and Donna.

She attended Illinois State University, gaining a Bachelor's degree in Secondary English and Music Education. She later attended Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and obtained another Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design and Photography. She worked in advertising through graphic design and editing of publications at A.A. Importing in St. Louis for many years.

She was married to William (Bill) Kinder on June 12, 1965, and had two children, Jill and Tom. She enjoyed raising her children and being involved in everything with them. As a family, they enjoyed many campouts at local state parks and a long camping trip out west to Colorado and one to the Outerbanks. She married Michael Anthony (Tony) Martin on January 1, 2012. Diana and Tony enjoyed lots of adventures, canoeing, camping, hiking, biking, and more.

Diana became a Girl Scout Leader in 1977 and continued until 2012. She received her American Canoe Instruction certification and also her lifeguard training. She especially loved taking her girls camping and canoeing, as well as teaching other girls to canoe. In 1982, she started the Mariner Girl Scout ship "Lorelei" and continued impacting girls for more than 25 years after Jill Graduated High School. During that time, she also got certification in small craft sailing and enjoyed teaching many girls to sail. She received the Thanks Badge from Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, the highest honor for adult Girl Scouts, in 2012.

While Tom was in High School, she started a Sea Explorer ship to provide similar opportunities for boys as well as girls.

Diana was baptised, confirmed, and married at First United Presbyterian Church, Granite City. She enjoyed singing in the choir and playing in the bell choir. She also started and led the children's bell choir for many years. She was frequently the photographer for church events. After her professional retirement, she wrote and produced the monthly church newsletter for about 10 years.

In High School and college, she played the French Horn and enjoyed sharing that with her grandkids, Tracy and Carolyn. As an adult, she enjoyed singing with The Master's Voice Choir.

She loved enjoying adventures with her kids and grandkids, too. She inspired a love for the arts and adventure in all of them. She took many road trips with her granddaughter Brenna, making up songs to make the miles go by faster. She also enjoyed sharing Mariner Girl Scouts with Brenna, as she was an active member of Lorelei through high school. She traveled frequently to see all her grandchildren for birthdays and holidays. She attended family weekend for Tracy's freshman year at college, took Carolyn on an adventure to Oregon, on the Empire Builder train, to visit Tom and family. She loved going to concerts with Rowan and hiking with Garrett.

She was predeceased in death by her Father - Kennett Hillen, Mother - Vivian Hillen, Sister - Catherine Deane Hillen Thomas, First Husband- William (Bill) Kinder, and Granddaughter - Carolyn Frey.

She is survived by Husband - Micheal (Tony) Martin, Daughter - Jill Kinder Frey (John Frey), Son - Thomas Kinder (Tara Kinder), Sister - Donna Hillen Rowland, Grandchildren- Brenna Kinder Faulhaber (Brian Faulhaber), Tracy Frey, Rowan Kinder, Garret Kinder, and Great-grandson- Vicktor Faulhaber.

Visitation and Memorial Service will be held on November 15, 2025 at the First United Presbyterian Church of 2160 Delmar, Granite City, IL 62040. Visitation will be at 3 pm, Memorial will start at 4 pm with dinner to follow.

Memorial donations are recommended in lieu of flowers to First United Presbyterian Church of Granite City or to Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, or 4 Ginger Creek Parkway Glen Carbon, IL 62034