Skip to content

Obituary of Dalene Hope (Pankey) Lewis

Dalene Hope (Pankey) Lewis, 80 of Peoria, IL passed away Thursday, March 5, 2020 at her home from a pulmonary embolism. Dalene was born in Hardin County, the oldest daughter of the late Dal and Hepsia Pankey. Dalene grew up in Rosiclare and graduated from RCHS in 1957.
She accepted Christ at a young age at the Rosiclare Christian Church, and remained a loving and faithful warrior her entire life.
Dalene had a long and successful secretarial/office administration career from St. Louis, MO, Berkley, CA, Buffalo, NY, Rockford, IL and finished at OSF St. Frances Medical Center in Peoria. Dalene took an early retirement from OSF to spend time with her grandchildren, travel, and more time for volunteer activities.
She married Richard Gilliland in 1962 at the First Christian Church, Rosiclare. That marriage ended in divorce in 1976. She married Richard Lewis in 1990 in Leesburg, VA. He predeceased her in February 2017.
She is survived by her loving son, Darren Gilliland, Peoria; grandchildren Cory Gilliland, Peoria and Rachel (Sam) Lucania, Ashburn, VA; and three great-grandsons. Also surviving are her sisters, Mary Jan (Robert) Owens, Wake Forest, NC and Frances Tyrrell, Summerville, SC; several nephews and a niece.
Dalene was predeceased by her parents; husband; brother, David Pankey; and sisters, Helen Jo Pankey and Judith Pankey Foe.
Due to the coronavirus and travel restrictions, there will be a Celebration of Life in early summer.

2 Comments

  1. Janice Bau Owens on April 2, 2020 at 3:57 pm

    Jennifer,
    Thank you very much. The photo and obituary look
    good. She was a great sister and friend.

    • Editor on April 2, 2020 at 4:01 pm

      You are very welcome. Good talking to you today.

Leave a Comment