Dianne Gonzales

Dianne Marie Gonzales, 57, of Sedalia, passed away Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center.

She was born July 12, 1965, in Davenport, IA, daughter of Melvin A. and Norma J. (Middleton) Tullis.  A few years later, her family moved to Sedalia, Missouri.

Dianne was a 1983 graduate of Smith-Cotton High School, where she was active in  cheerleading, the flag corps and the drama club. She earned a B.S. in Recreation Management from UCM. She also served 4 years in the Army Reserves. Working with children was her passion, she worked in early childhood education and taught dance classes.

Growing up, she attended First United Methodist Church and later attended Wesley United Methodist Church with her children.

Dianne loved music, dancing, angels, and the color pink. To know Dianne was to love her. Her fun-loving spirit, her beauty, love, kindness, humor, and incredible strength would fill the room. She had a knack for making people smile.

Surviving are two children, Arlo Gonzales, of Aurora, CO, and Victoria Gonzales of Boulder, CO; four siblings, Linda Mayes (Robert), Sharon Manley (Mark), Gregory Tullis, all of Sedalia, and Janice Johnson (Dennis), of Knob Noster; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Rodney Tullis.

The celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Heckart Funeral Home.

Casket bearers will be Kayla Woodside, Alexandra Mayes, Sabrina Selvey, Jacob Selvey, DeLynn Johnson, Robert Mayes, and Djuana Osby.

Burial will be in Hopewell Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at Heckart Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America for research.