Deanna L. Loving, 70, of Mt. Pleasant, died unexpectedly on Sunday, August 7, 2022 at her residence.

A memorial funeral service for Deanna will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, August 13, 2022 in the Chapel of Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant, where interment will also take place. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 8 PM on Friday, August 12 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 5-7 PM. Friends and relatives are also invited to a luncheon immediately following the committal service on Saturday. It will be held at the Mt. Pleasant Masonic Temple, 206 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant.

Memorials may be directed to the family for decisions to be made later. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.

Deanna L. Loving was born January 17, 1952 in Mt. Pleasant, the daughter of William D. and Dorothy A. (Strawhacker) Long. She graduated from Mt. Pleasant Community High School in 1970. Deanna attended Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville and received her BA degree in Education from Iowa Wesleyan in Mt. Pleasant. On May 26, 1973 in Oquawka, IL, Deanna was united in marriage to David L. Loving.

Deanna began an extensive career in education as a para educator for Rich Garrels' company employing special needs people. She then took a position as a Special Education teacher at the Mt. Pleasant Middle School. She moved to become at 6th grade teacher at Van Allen Elementary School in Mt. Pleasant. Deanna moved to Lincoln Elementary School in Mt. Pleasant as a 5th grade teacher. She retired in 2008 from Lincoln Elementary after a 32-year career in education. During her time as an educator, she was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Community School District's teacher's union. She served several years as the President of the Mt. Pleasant Teacher's Association.

Mrs. Loving was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant. As her family was active in the Masonic Fraternity bodies, she was a member and former Worthy Advisor of the Rainbow Chapter in Mt. Pleasant. She was a member of the former Order of the Eastern Star Bethlehem Chapter #38 of Mt. Pleasant, serving in all the Star Point Chairs. She also was member of the former White Shrine Chapter in Mt. Pleasant.

Those thankful for sharing in Deanna's life include her husband of 49 years, Dave, of Mt. Pleasant; a son – Jason (Jessica) Loving of Mt. Pleasant; 2 siblings – Darla (James) Jackson, Sr. of Ottumwa and "Tete" (Karen Doubleday) Long of Mt. Pleasant; a step son – Jeremy (Jodie) Loving of Lockridge; 4 grandchildren – Haley Fitzhugh, Ashley Loving, Skye Loving and Clayton Loving (Abby Jalas) and 3 great grandchildren – Kayden, Lexington and Natalie Fitzhugh.

Her parents, a brother – William Long III and a sister  - Raylene Long, precede in death.

Directed to the Family