Diane Guarneri

Diane Lynn Guarneri was born on November 24, 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Elmer Guarnery and Audre LaChance. She passed away on May 17, 2025, in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, at the age of 85.

Diane met and married Phillip Walker, with whom she shared three beloved children: Kenneth Dale, Steven Michael, and Mark Allen Walker. A devoted Christian, Diane found her calling through her beautiful soprano singing voice, which she used to share her testimony and spread love and encouragement within her local community and churches.

Beyond her music, Diane loved writing uplifting short stories and hosting the neighborhood Good News Club in Alton, Illinois, where she joyfully taught Bible stories, led songs, and organized games for local children. She was also an active member of the traveling group, The Community Choir. After her divorce from Phil, she later married Gary Walker.

Diane was preceded in death by her cherished son Kenny in 1975, who bravely battled Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; her former husband Phil in 2011; and her husband Gary in 2017. She is survived by her two sisters, Judy Zahner and Denise Debono; her sons, Steve and Mark; her grandchildren, Kristin Turk, Braydn Walker, and Ryan Walker; and her great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Oaklee Turk, who lovingly knew her as “Great Grammy.”

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on July 12, 2025, at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens, 10 Erwin Plegge Blvd, Bethalto, IL 62010.