Dianne Lynn McEntee, 75, of Niota, Illinois, passed away Friday, June 12, 2026 at her home.
Dianne was born February 13, 1951 in Keokuk, Iowa, the daughter of Charles and Evelyn (Carney) Woodruff. She was raised and educated in Keokuk and graduated from Keokuk High School in 1969. On March 5, 1981 she married Patrick Leonard McEntee. He preceded her in death on May 26, 2020. Following their marriage, she moved to Niota. Early in their marriage, Dianne stayed home to raise her family. Later, she attended Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, Iowa, where she earned a degree in Computer Drafting. She also owned and operated the Wye Knot Tavern in Niota from 1993 until 2019.
She enjoyed gardening, tending to her flowers, canning and was an excellent seamstress.
Survivors include five children: Brian (Michelle) McEntee, Scott McEntee, Sarah (Elisha) Pruett, Lisa (Rick) Richmond and Andrew (Nicole) McEntee; 14 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and three siblings: Debbie (Troy) Heath, James Woodruff and Mitchell Woodruff.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and one brother: Stephen “Woody” Woodruff.
Cremation has been entrusted to Schmitz-Banks & Beals Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 20, 2026 at Schmitz-Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Nauvoo with Pastor David Poland officiating. Burial will follow at Myers Cemetery, rural Niota.
The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until time of services Saturday at the funeral home.
A memorial fund has been established for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit Dianne’s obituary at
sbbfuneralhome.com.
