Karen Diamond Killebrew

FENTON, Mo. — Karen Sue Diamond Killebrew, a loving wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, formerly of Sikeston, Missouri, passed away at her home on Aug. 8, 2020, at the age of 78.

She was born on April 10, 1942, in Sikeston, Missouri, daughter of the late Andy and Sarah Henson Kappler.

She worked as an operator for Southwestern Bell and later a Call Center Manager for AT&T for a total of 34 years total service before retiring.

Karen enjoyed riding Harley Davidson motorcycles with friends and the Cape Girardeau HOG group. She also enjoyed classic cars, especially her Corvettes and collecting vintage Fire King cookware.

On April 16, 1960, she married Larry Diamond, he preceded her in death on July 26, 2003.

On May 10, 2010, at Sikeston in the City Park Gazebo, she married Cary Killebrew; he survives of the home in Fenton.

In addition to her husband Cary Killebrew, Karen is survived by one son, Lloyd (Alison) Diamond of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; one daughter, JudyDiamond of Sikeston; two step-daughters, Jennifer Killebrew of Lake St.Louis, Missouri and Tanya Becker of Wildwood, Missouri; seven grandchildren,

Darek Diamond, Dylan Diamond, Jessie Diamond, Jennifer Diamond, Matthew Becker, Charlotte Becker, and Adam Becker; and two great-grandchildren, Aayden Diamond and Ethan Diamond.

In addition to her parents and first husband, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Albert Kappler, Arnold Kappler, Joe Kappler, and Andrew Kappler.

Visitation will be held Saturday, Aug. 15 from 11 a.m. until time of funeral services at 1 p.m. at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston. Johnny Hester will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Unity Baptist Cemetery at Benton, Missouri.

Pallbearers will be: Tim Kellick, Ben Kellick, John Sells, Gary Hampton, Tim Merideth and Roy Merideth.

Paid obituary