Deana Loiacono

Deana Loiacono, 80, of Battle Creek went to be with her Lord and Shepherd on Monday morning, January 7, 2013 at the Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence with her loving family at her side. She was born in Dayton, Tennessee on March 12, 1932 the daughter of George O. and Gladys (Phillips) Wilkey and graduated from Battle Creek Central High School with the Class of 1951. Deana retired in 1995 after more than 35 years of faithful service with Michigan Bell and AT&T.
Deana married Louis Loiacono Jr. at St. Philip Catholic Church in Battle Creek on September 18, 1954; he survives. She is also survived by her daughter, Teresa “Terri” (Marcus) Loiacono-Jones of Glendale, Arizona; her son, Anthony “Tony” (Lori) Loiacono of Bonsall, California; 6 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; her nieces & nephews, Barbara Wilkins, Brenda Moore, Debbie Burt, Michael Heshelman; and several other nieces, nephews and great-nieces & nephews. Deana was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, James O. “Jim” Wilkey and 2 sisters, Eva Jean Heshelman and Wilma E. Miles.
Deana loved her family and was truly an example of one who lived the verse, Proverbs 13:22A, where she provided continued financial support to her grandchildren’s endeavors and education. She enjoyed reading and especially loved to play her “Slots”.
At the request of the family, they will receive friends 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home where funeral services to celebrate Deana’s life will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 10, 2013 with Pastor Dennis K. Siddall, Associate Pastor of the North Avenue Church of God, officiating. Memorials directed to the Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence would be greatly appreciated.