Diane Eastern

Diane L. Eastern, nee Shelton, 73, of East St. Louis, Illinois, born August 21, 1944 in East St. Louis, Illinois, passed away, Tuesday, February 6, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was a faithful member of Faith Ministries Church in Caseyville, Illinois where Reverend Doris Ely was her pastor. She was a proud graduate of the 1962 Class at Lincoln Senior High School, where she also served as class treasurer and one of the core members of the class reunion committee for over 55 years.

Diane worked for over 27 years as the Director of Regulatory Affairs with the City of East St. Louis, Illinois. She was an amazing cook, known for her apple pie and egg custards. In addition, she enjoyed shopping, crossword puzzles and spending time with family and friends. She loved country living and the outdoors; enjoying the sunshine on her face while gardening and planting flowers. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, cousin and friend, who will truly be missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert Eastern, Jr.; her father, George Hilliard, mother Lillie Shelton, and a sister Carol Shelton.

Surviving to cherish her memory is her daughter Philea “Lady” Williams of Belleville, Illinois and son Ricky "Smokey" Eastern Sr. of East St. Louis, Illinois; her step-sons Robert Eastern, III of East St. Louis, Illinois and Andre Eastern of East St. Louis, Illinois; her sister Geraldine Jackson of East St. Louis, Illinois; her aunts Edna Mae Terry of Paris, Tennessee and Hattie Hilliard of East St. Louis, Illinois; her God-daughter Katrina (Gary) Teague, of Paris, Tennessee and God-sons Broderick Hawkins of Belleville, Illinois and Maurice “Poo” Mosley, Jr. of East St. Louis, Illinois; grandchildren Kevin Williams, Ricky "Lil Smokey" Eastern Jr.; 6 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, her special friend, Shelia Brown of Fairview Heights, Illinois; sister-in-law Mildred Eastern Scott of St. Louis, Missouri; brother-in-laws Hearie Joe (Kim) Eastern of St. Louis, Missouri and Arthur Eastern of South Holland, Illinois; and her nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, February 16, 2018 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois.

Funeral: Services will be held privately at the funeral home. Interment will be held in Sunset Gardens of Memory in Millstadt, Illinois.