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Diane Spialek Obituary
PEKIN - Diane Lynn Spialek, 61, of Pekin passed away at 5:35 p.m. Thursday, July 15, 2010, at Foster G. McGaw Hospital at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.
She was born May 12, 1949, in Pekin to Arthur and J. Berniece (Chitwood) Eitenmiller. Diane found her soul mate and best friend in Larry Spialek. They began their 41-year marriage July 13, 1969, in Pekin. He survives.
Also surviving are her mother of Pekin; two daughters, Beth (Brian) Smith of Pekin and Christine (John) Benson of Cabot, Ark.; one son, Matt Spialek of Normal; five grandchildren, Emma Smith, Ethan Smith, Noah Benson, Caleb Benson and Isabella Diane Benson; two brothers, Duane (Cathy) Eitenmiller of Texas and Dave Eitenmiller of Pekin; and one sister, Sandy Coffey of Pekin.
Her father preceded her in death.
Diane spent 25 years as the computer-lab scheduler and supervisor at Pekin Community High School, retiring in May 2006.
However, her primary occupation was as a loving wife and mother who selflessly placed the needs of her family before her own. For Diane, this pure gesture was more powerful than any paycheck. When paychecks did come in, they never went to her, but instead were set aside for her children's college education. Ensuring her children had more opportunities than she had was, in her mind, the greatest investment she could make.
While Diane would proudly claim Larry, Beth, Chrissy, Matt and her grandchildren as the light of her life, they, too, would say she was their light whose warmth has and will continue to enrich their lives beyond her time on earth.
She was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin.
Her funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin. Father Timothy Nolan will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, with a Christian wake service at 3:30 p.m. Burial will be in Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Pekin.
Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
To express condolences online, visit www.prestonhanley.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Diane Spialek
1 Entry
Julie Devine
July 18, 2010
Beth, Brian, and family. My deepest sympathy with the loss of your Mother and friend. I did not know her but feel a little closer after reading her beautiful obituary. What a blessing to you all she must of been. My thoughts and prayers are with you in these difficult times. Julie.
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