Janis Diane Pirtle

Diane was born on January 14, 1937, in Sedalia, Missouri, to Marvin L. and Ethel Mae (Leiter) Cooper. She graduated from Central High School and spent her entire life in the greater Kansas City area.

Diane was amazing with numbers and spent her working career as a payroll clerk at various organizations, eventually ending her career with the Federal Aviation Administration. She retired in 1999.

Diane was a devoted mother to her three daughters and worked hard to ensure they were raised with love, compassion, and strong family values. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she was a lifelong member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

In 1972, Diane met a kind and wonderful man, James A. Pirtle. They were married on July 21, 1973, and shared 30 years together until Jim’s sudden passing in 2003. Their life together was filled with love, family, and cherished memories.

Diane was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James A. Pirtle, and her daughter, Dana Hoover (Ed), of West Plains, Missouri.

She is survived by her daughters, Laura McElroy (Larry) of Smithville, Missouri, and Stacey Poole (Chuck) of Raleigh, North Carolina; her eight grandchildren, Justin Wurzer (Simaran), Derek Wurzer, Joshua Poole (Melinda), Benjamin Poole, Melissa Hawkins (Jesse), Alyssia Smith,Sami Duncan (Cody) and Steven McElroy (Kayla); and her eleven great-grandchildren, Alexis Smith, Aryana Smith, Ayla Smith, Ryan Hawkins, Charlotte Hawkins, David Hawkins, Kinsley Duncan, Kaylee McElroy, Joey McElroy, Skylar McElroy and Mason McElroy.

Diane enjoyed many things throughout her life. In her younger years, she loved roller skating. She also enjoyed reading, cross-stitching, watching ice skating on television, playing games with family, and going to movies and shopping with friends. She was a devoted Kansas City Chiefs fan and enjoyed cheering them on.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Grand Royale Senior Living and NorthCare Hospice House for the exceptional care, love, and compassion they shared with Diane.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the American Cancer Society or Shriners Hospitals for Children in Diane’s memory.

Diane will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Her family finds comfort in the love they shared and in the many wonderful memories she leaves behind. Her kindness, strength, faith, and love for her family will remain in their hearts forever.