Diane K. (Redfearn) Essex, 62, of Panama, died on Sunday, June 7, 2020, at 8:37 a.m. at her residence.
Visitation will be held Friday, June 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home in Panama. Due to social distancing guidelines that prohibit large gatherings, only ten guests will be allowed to visit the family at one time. A private family memorial ceremony will be held with the Rev. Frank Loskot, Jr. officiating, followed by inurnment at Union Cemetery in Panama.
Mrs. Essex was born Sept. 8, 1957, in Hillsboro, to George L. and Burnetta (McGill) Redfearn. She married Kenneth E. Essex on April 24, 2004, at Rend Lake, where they enjoyed camping together over the years, and he survives.
She graduated from Hillsboro High School with the class of 1975. During her career, she worked for Echlin in Litchfield for many years and had her own in-home daycare service.
Mrs. Essex always enjoyed a good bonfire, TV crime shows and attending yard sales, but most of all she enjoyed being a grandma.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughters, Melanie (Nathan Drew) Tarver of Panama and Erica (Derek) LeMaster of Edwardsville; stepsons, Benjamin (Tanya) Essex of Richmond, VA, and Theodore (Liz) Essex of West Frankfort; grandchildren, Macenzie Knox, Maressa Tarver, Maryn Tarver, Ava Essex and one on the way; brothers, Michael, Daniel and George Redfearn, all of Panama; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mrs. Essex was preceded in death by her parents; and infant brother, Stephen Redfearn.
Memorials may be directed to the Montgomery County Cancer Association, 19 Circle Drive, Litchfield, IL 62056.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com.
