Tara "Diana" Gabriel

Diana Gabriel, 57, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. She had been in declining health for several years.

Tara Lynn “Diana” Gabriel was born in Rock Island, Illinois, on December 5, 1964, the daughter of Jim Reed and Nancy (McGlothlin) Reed Barnhart.  She moved with her family to Unionville, Missouri, at the age of eight and graduated from Putnam County R-1 High School in 1982.  She was married after high school and later divorced.  Diana worked as a secretary for various companies.  She lived in Kirksville the past five years after living in Unionville for many years.  Diana had experienced several health issues after gastric bypass surgery including a liver and kidney transplant.  She was an avid reader especially enjoying Stephen King books.  She enjoyed watching older TV shows like “Golden Girls.” Diana loved to keep in touch with friends and family over the telephone and liked to follow the news on the internet; she was a fount of information on current affairs.  She liked to eat Chinese food.

Diana is survived by her mother, Nancy Barnhart of Unionville, Missouri, and three children, Tara Lynn (Derrick) Watts of Eldorado, AR; Christopher Diveley of Unionville, Missouri; and Jenny Lee (Jessup) Beeler of Centerville, Iowa.  Her five grandchildren are Emily Kate Watts, Bailey Faith Diveley, and Davii, Wyatt, and Oaklee Beeler.  Diana is also survived by her brother, Steve Reed of Chillicothe, Missouri, and an aunt, Shirley Land of Troy, Missouri.  She is also survived by her pet dog, Daisy.

Diana was preceded in death by her father, Jim Reed.

Diana’s wishes were to be cremated and no services are planned.

Memorials may be made payable to Humane Society of Kirksville and entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27 ^th St., Unionville, MO  63565.