Diane Ayers (75) of Newton

Glenda Diane Ayers, age 75, passed away at 7:00 PM on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at her home in Newton, Illinois

A celebration of Diane will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the West End Reception Event Center in Newton, Illinois. Details will be announced later. In loving memory of Diane, memorials may be made to the Jasper County Cancer Support Fund, PO Box 333, Newton, Illinois 62448. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left by clicking here.

Diane was born on November 24, 1948, in Tupelo, Mississippi, the daughter of Melvin and Bobbie Nell (Barnes) Jumper. Diane married Frank Ayers on March 17, 1973, in Zion, Illinois. The newlyweds moved to Newton with a plan to breathe new life into a historic building they had discovered there, at the river edge, near a well-traveled rustic bridge. The transformation from a brick building of 1878 to a home of fine dining, cocktails, live music, and dancing, in a stunningly beautiful atmosphere was a daunting labor of love perfectly suited for Diane’s creativity and Frank’s construction knowledge. In September 1974, The Old Mill Inn Restaurant and Lounge, on the Embarras River opened its doors to the community. Diane, smiling, was the beautiful site that welcomed guests and promised to make every experience at the Old Mill Inn memorable-from dinner & drinks to weddings and Christmas parties. Diane took great pride, & found even greater enjoyment, in seeing guests of “The Mill” happy & having a great time. The Old Mill Inn held countless treasured memories of wonderful times over thirty-one years when it was destroyed by fire in September 2005. Diane and Frank were also owning partners of the Bottle Junction liquor store in Newton, where she was the driving force in design, creativity, and service. She had a great love for her businesses, second only to the limitless love of her family.

Diane is survived by: Husband of 51 years – Frank Ayers of Newton, Illinois; Children - Vonda (Faron) Britton of Newton, Illinois; Dawnda Nichols of Newton, Illinois; Cory (Laura) Ayers of LasVegas, Nevada; and Brandon (Renee) Ayers of LasVegas, Nevada; Grandchildren - Kearstin (Hector) Fernandez, Nicholas Newkirk, Megan Nester, Morgan Nester, Cory (Alecsa) Ayers, Jr, Alyssa (Dan) Buzzard, Brandon Ayers Jr, Benjamin Ayers, Andrew Ayers, Layne Ayers, and Olivia Ayers; Great Grandchild - Easton Buzzard; Sister - Jami (Darryl) Estes of Eddyville, Kentucky

Diane was preceded in death by her parents and a sister and brother-in-law Sandra Kay (James Ray) Sandlin.