AVA – Alma F. Dierks, 67, of Ava, passed away at 9:35 am, Saturday, January 22, 2022, at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, Murphysboro.

Alma was born in Murphysboro, Illinois, on October 4, 1954, the daughter of Curtis Frank and Kathleen McRoy Dean.  She married Lester Dierks on November 24, 1972, at the Ava Missionary Baptist Church.  Alma was a self-employed very talented avid Crafter and was well known for the beautiful rugs she wove and the crafts she made.  She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, West Point; the Immanuel Lutheran Ladies Aid and a former member of the Ava Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary.

Alma is survived by her husband, Lester Dierks of Ava; daughters, Leslie (Nathan) Dillow of Ava and Stacy Dierks of St. Louis, MO; grandson, Reid Dillow; sisters, Brenda (Mike) Keller of Ava and Donna Dean of Murphysboro; brother, Bruce (Jeannie) Dean of Ava; half-brother, Dale (Lucia) Kelso of Murphysboro; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Carl (Beulah) Dierks of Ava, Carolyn Fristche of Steeleville, Florine Liefer of Plano, TX, Roy (Nancy) Dierks of Percy, Gerald (Nancy) Dierks of O'Fallon, IL and Denise (Delbert) Ernsting of Percy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Alma was preceded in death by her Parents; step mother, Lena Mary Dean; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Emma and Albert Dierks; and brother-in-law, Melvin Fritsche.

Memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 6, 2022, at 3:00 pm, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, West Point, with Rev. Sean Smith officiating.  Visitation will be at the church, Sunday, February 6, 2022, from 1 pm until 3 pm.  Memorials may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church, West Point or ALS – Great St. Louis.  To sign the guestbook, visit www.wilsonsfuneralhome.net.