Dianna Loftis Wheeler, "The Diamond Diva," beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend passed away August 11, 2022 at home with her husband, family and friends by her side. She was born September 20, 1954 in Ozark, MO.

Dianna spent most of her life in the Springfield area, where she met Doin Loftis and later married. They built homes and apartments and then opened a pawn shop. When the moved their shop to the corner of Sunshine and Campbell, Dianna built a jewelry business and became known as "The Diamond Diva." She designed and made custom pieces of jewelry for her customers. She retired from the jewelry business and later married Mark Wheeler. Together, they had a drywall business and started the Dirty Old Baster award-winning BBQ. Dianna made the best baked beans and she took that recipe with her. They won several awards for their barbeque.

Dianna was the most generous and caring person. Her greatest love was people.

She was preceded in death by her father, Richard "Rockie" Nelson; mother, Norma Nelson; brother, Richard "Rickie" Nelson, Jr.; sister, Debra Nelson and grandparents Otis and Pauline Cole.

She is survived by her husband, Mark Wheeler; son, Mark "Dusty" Wheeler; grandsons, Nathaniel and Zacherian Russell; great-grandson, Nathaniel Russell, Jr.; son, Darrell Loftis (Jamie) and their children, Cory, Brendan and Aliena; and great-grandson, Axel Edwin; niece, Debra Durham and her son, Coleman; great niece, Taylor Ford; her favorite uncle, Don Cole and special friends, Kathy Harrigell and Shirley Perry.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Monday, August 29, 2022 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Memorial Service will be at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, August 30, also at the Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Hazelwood Cemetery.