Diane Cline

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Diana Rhea (Hendry) Cline, 78, of Joplin, Mo., passed away early morning on Saturday, March 27th after a long illness. She was born in Joplin, Missouri on May 28th, 1942, to John and Dorothy (Duvenick) Hendry.

Diane graduated from Joplin High School in 1959. She grew up attending the JACS (Joplin Area Catholic Schools) and told many stories of her great education there. How strict the nuns were, strongly enforcing her to work hard, and make excellent grades. 

She advanced 2 grade levels in one school term there and was able to speak fluent Latin while attending all Latin Masses. Diane was very proud of her Catholic faith and honored and lived by God’s word her entire life. She was passionate in prayer, and always wanting to do the right thing in God’s eyes.

Diane is survived by her 3 children, John DeGraff, Julie Schwartz Postle (Greg), and Matt Cline, along with 5 grandchildren, Alex (Sophie), Erica (Alex), Jensen, Emily (Brianna), and Morgan and also four great-grandsons Emre, Sam, Skittle (Felix), and Ezra, and her special dog Nicholas. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers Richard Hendry, and John Thomas Hendry.

In her younger years, Diane was a model in New York City and for the American Royal in Kansas City. She was also known for her height, and even at 6’ tall, she would always wear high heels, and would never leave the house to go anywhere without makeup on.

Diane overcame many physically challenges throughout her life, including being hit by a drunk driver as a teenager, 2 brain surgeries, an undiagnosed illness that left her intubated in the ICU for several weeks, and many health problems. But even with all those challenges, worked until she was over 70 years old. She was blessed to have several great jobs, including the Jasper County Courthouse, and as a Medical Transcriptionist for Cox South/Freeman/St. Johns. She was also an instructor at Franklin Technology Center.

Our wonderful Mother will be remembered for so many things. Kindness, Intelligence, Patience, Generosity, Beauty, Sense of Humor, Morals, Values and Ethics. When someone passes, nice things are always said, and sometimes not always meant. There are not enough positive words to describe the love that our family and friends have for our wonderful Mother.

Diane had incredible intelligence, she was great at game shows, crossword puzzles, impeccable verbal, and grammar skills, and could type over 100 words a minute. Diane loved sports, especially Baseball, continuing the decades long family tradition of loving our country’s national pastime. She also enjoyed watching Nascar with her son John.

Kindness describes our Mother the best though. People say you can always tell how good of a person someone is by how they treat their pets and their parents. As everyone knows, Mom treated her pets (from birds to dogs) as good as any family member, which is why all of them lived to very old ages. Diane also worshipped her wonderful Mother and gave her impeccable care until the day she passed. When our precious NoNo passed away, Mom never has been the same person.

Mom has always put others first, that kindness over the years lead Mom to being taken advantage of by people. Unfortunately, at times, kindness can be mistaken for weakness and Mom knew that. Be she also knew that God was proud of her, and that was all that mattered. For any rare situation over the years that someone had an issue with Diane, it was truly their loss and misfortune that they really did not know the true Diane. And like our wonderful Grandmother always said about those people, “just consider the source”.

Diane will be remembered for so many positive contributions to many lives. One that stands out the most is Christmas. For any child/parent that was not allowed to believe or participate in Santa Claus, they truly missed a lifetime of memories. Even with just a modest income, Mom made sure Christmas was fully celebrated with Santa and all the traditions, and never letting her children forget the true meaning of that day, to celebrate the birth of Christ.

In honor of Diane’s wishes, there will not be a formal funeral service. Please remember our wonderful Mom as that person who always put others first. Kind, soft spoken, generous and a true blessing from God. Our family has so many to thank for their love and care for our Mom, especially Joplin Health and Rehab. Their care and love for Mom will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Diane’s name to St. Peters Outreach House, Joplin Elks Lodge Christmas Basket Fund, the Joplin Area Fuller Center for Housing, or the Missouri Southern Baseball Team.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory.