Published on October 24, 2025 6:24 am
Last Updated on October 27, 2025 7:08 am
Diane Reynolds, 82, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, October 23, 2025 following a 7-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was surrounded by her beloved husband and their two sons.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church with burial following in Mother of Dolors Catholic Cemetery, Vandalia. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am to 10:30 am Wednesday at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorial donations may be given to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Diane was born in Vandalia, Illinois, on January 27, 1943, the daughter of Slater and Helen (Kelly) Walton. Diane spent the early years of her life living in rural Williams Camp, a Carter Oil Company town, where she attended a two-room country school. It was there that she developed a love of learning while she benefited from the extraordinary expertise of her teacher, Beatrice Owens. This influence helped her become a dedicated teacher herself, and she influenced countless children during her teaching career.
She married Joe Reynolds, the love of her life. They were married for over 63 years and had two sons—Yale and Michael.
Diane, Joe, Yale, and Mike were all interested in and active in tennis. Diane received the USTA Community Service Award for her outstanding contributions to tennis. She was presented a plaque during a special ceremony at the National Tennis Teachers’ Conference in New York City.
Diane coached the Effingham High School girls’ tennis team, and her son, Yale, coached the St. Anthony’s girls’ team. Her competitive spirit always rose to new heights when her team faced Yale’s team during those days. Neither would give an inch!
After she retired from teaching, Diane remained active in the community and St. Anthony’s Church. She participated in many Bible study classes, helped with parish fundraisers, and attended Mass regularly.
Diane had a genuinely caring and unselfish personality, and it seemed she knew everybody in Effingham! She always saw the best in everyone she met. Going to a restaurant, Walmart, or any other place in Effingham with her could be a challenge if in a hurry. She not only knew everyone, she wasn’t content until she had greeted each person, chatted a while, and, most importantly, gave everyone a compliment. This was especially true if she saw parents with small children. She had to tell all the parents how beautiful their children were. Hers was truly a life well lived and a life lived for others.
Diane is survived by her husband, Joe, sons Yale and Michael (Nancy), sisters Cheryl Gale and Barbara (Franklin) Steinhauser, nephew Benjamin Steinhauser, nieces Kathleen (Mark) Misquitta and Lauren (Jeff) Scott, great-nephews Luca and Levi Misquitta and George Scott.
She was preceded in death by her parents, father-in-law and mother-in-
Diane will be sorely missed and long remembered by her loving family and multitude of friends.