LACROSSE — Diane Audrey (Dunavan) Gibson passed away, July 8, 2022 at the age of 52 in Salina, Kan. She was born on July 1, 1970 at Fort Sill, Okla., the first-born daughter of Lt. Colonel Robert Dunavan and Janice (Hallagin) Dunavan.
Being a child of the military, Diane traveled across the world with her parents and siblings, Brian and Michael Dunavan. At age 14, she was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia, a condition that slowly took away her mobility. She graduated high school at Camp Zama, Japan in 1988, and graduated from Fort Hays State University with a degree in Education. Diane spent several years working off and on as a substitute teacher.
In 1996, she met her future husband Jeff Gibson, and they were married June 7, 1997. Shortly after, they moved to Great Bend, Kan. where they lived for over 20 years. She continued to substitute teach until the birth of her children, Ian in 1999 and Chloe “CJ” in 2002.
Diane was a strong believer in the Christian faith and attended church regularly for most of her life. She was a member of the Pawnee Rock Christian Church for many years, and served for a time as church treasurer.
In 2020, they moved to La Crosse, Kan. which became her home until an injury in 2022 hospitalized her, from which she never fully recovered. Her health related to her Friedreich’s Ataxia continued to decline until she passed away peacefully on July 8, 2022 at 7:45 p.m. at Holiday Resort Health and Rehab nursing home in Salina, Kan.
Diane is preceded in death by her father Robert Dunavan, and her younger brother Michael Dunavan. She is succeeded by her mother Janice Dunavan; husband Jeff Gibson; children Ian Gibson and Chloe “CJ” Gibson; brother Brian and his wife Karen Dunavan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside service will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at Pawnee Rock Cemetery, Pawnee Rock, Kan. with Pastor John Thomas presiding. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned, Kan. Services will be streamed via Facebook live on the Beckwith Mortuary Facebook page. Memorials may be given to the Pawnee Rock Christian Church in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, KS. 67550. Condolences may be left for the family at www.beckwithmortuary.com
Funeral arrangements provided by
Beckwith Mortuary
PO Box 477
Larned, KS 67550
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 13, 2022
