Denise Ann Pless (57) of rural Montrose

Denise Ann Pless, age 57, of rural Montrose, Illinois, passed away at 4:06 PM – Friday, July 21, 2023, at HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham, Illinois.   

Funeral services celebrating Denise’s life will be held at 10:00 AM – Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Scott Avenue Christian Church in Newton, Illinois, with Mark Wilkinson officiating.  The burial will be in the Island Creek Cemetery in rural Montrose, Illinois.  Visitation will be held 5:00 to 7:00 PM - Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at Scott Avenue Christian Church in Newton, Illinois.  In loving memory of Denise, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an organization she held dear to her heart.  Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois.  The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left by clicking here.

Denise Ann was born on January 13, 1966, in Mattoon, Illinois, daughter of L.D. and Sharon “Marlene” (Sowers) Pitcher.  She graduated from Newton Community High School with the Class of 1984.  Denise attended Lake Land Community College alongside her daughter Kate, proudly graduating with her associate degree.  She was currently the administrative assistant and communication coordinator at Norris Electric Cooperative in Newton, Illinois.

Denise met Stephen Scott Pless at Snow Mt. Ranch near Winter Park, Colorado, and she confidently told her cousin that day that she would marry him someday.  On November 25, 1989, they were united in marriage at the Wilkesboro United Methodist Church in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.  To this union 2 daughters were born, Jessica and Katelyn.  She was an amazing mother but truly shined when she became “Mims” or “Mimsy” to Magnolia, Marleigh, Maisy, Harper, and Barrett.  She was known for being creative, loving life, traveling from mountains to the beach. She fully loved tea parties, whether it be with her mother, sisters, nieces, daughters, or her precious grandchildren.

Denise was the Sunshine of the family, their center, their everything. Always on your side, pushing you to be the best.  She loved the Lord, growing up in the Harmon United Methodist Church in rural Montrose, Illinois.  She instilled His love in her girls and now with her grandchildren.  Denise was passionate about bringing back the summer bible school to her home church, and proudly did just that in the summer of 2023. 

Denise is survived by her husband of 34 years, Steve, loving daughters Jessica (Jordan) Connor of Newton, Illinois, and Katelyn (Mitch) Stanciu of Toledo, Illinois, grandchildren Magnolia Mae, Marleigh Jo, Maisy Bee Connor, Harper Grace and Barrett Scott Stanciu.  She is also survived by her parents, L.D. and Marlene Pitcher, siblings Shannon (Ken) Nosbisch, Colleen (Tom) Wagner, Wes (Wanda) Pitcher, and Lennie (Kim) Pitcher, sister-in-law Roxanne Pitcher, several nieces, nephews, and friends also survive.

Denise was preceded in death by her grandparents, infant sister Michelle and a brother Kevin Brent Pitcher.