Diana Marie Smith, 76, of Abingdon, Illinois passed away peacefully at 1:12 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at her daughter’s home, surrounded by the love of her family.
Diana was born on May 24, 1950, in Canton, Illinois, the daughter of Robert Lee and Dorothy Lucille (Malott) Drumm.
Diana later moved to Elgin, Illinois, where she attended area schools and graduated from Larkin High School with the Class of 1968. She continued her education by completing a year of nursing training and earning her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification. Diana worked at St. Mary’s Hospital for more than 20 years, where she dedicated herself to caring for others. She retired in December of 2020.
Diana was a woman of strong faith, and her Bible was rarely far from her side. She was a member of the Abingdon United Methodist Church and found great comfort and strength in her faith throughout her life. She was a member of the Thursday Fellowship Group in her church and Feed My Lambs in Abingdon. In her free time, Diana enjoyed sewing, knitting, and crocheting. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, especially her great granddaughter, Harper.
Left to cherish Diana’s memory are her daughter, Gail (and James “Mike”) Belless of Galesburg; her brother, Robert Lee (and Elise) Drumm; her sisters, Vicki Black of Canton, Linda (and David) Sepich of Canton, and Beth Ann (and Steven) Hall of Bushnell, Illinois; her two granddaughters, Reggie “Jess” Belless and Gretchen Ann Belless; and her great granddaughter, Harper Ann Lowe. She was preceded in death by her parents.
In accordance with Diana’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. Visitation will be from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7th at the Abingdon United Methodist Church. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the church with Pastor Connor Morrison officiating. A luncheon will be provided at the church following the memorial service. Memorial contributions may be made to Feed My Lambs.
Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services of Abingdon is honored to serve the family of Diana Marie Smith. Online condolences may be shared with the family through the funeral home’s website at www.h-p-w.com.
