Lana J. Dinehart, 73 of Pacific, MO passed away Saturday, January 11, 2025, at St. Claire Hospital in Fenton of cardiac arrest after a long illness. 

Lana was born in Gasconade Missouri on February 22, 1951, and baptized at Assumption Catholic Church in Morrison, MO, a daughter of the late Geneva (Blackwell) and Terry Kemper. She was the wife of 10 years to Duane Dinehart. They were married in the Saint George Catholic Church, Hermann, Missouri on May 24, 1974. Duane passed away on January 12, 2002. 

For more than 40 years Lana was a resident of Hermann. She graduated from Saint George Catholic High School in 1969. Lana graduated from the University of Missouri, Mizzou in 1973 where she was the first woman to receive college credit for the R.O.T.C. program. She was an active member of the Saint George Catholic Church and was a previous sponsor of the Catholic Youth Organization. Lana was a member of the Saint George Choir for five years and later served on the Parish Council. 

Lana served her country in the United States Marine Corps as a Lieutenant under Major General Fred Haynes during the Vietnam War.

During her civilian working years, she was employed at Emerson Electric and McDonnell Douglas Aircraft, now Boeing. She worked on many flight simulator projects before retiring after 30 years. 

Lana spent her later years as a member and elder of the Pacific Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the St. Louis Service Women’s post 404 of the American Legion. Lana enjoyed traveling with her daughter’s family, Mizzou football games, and reading science fiction novels. 

Lana is survived by her church family of friends, her O’Hara family, one daughter, Sara Shields, and her husband Tad: by two grandchildren, Ian and Alexis Shields all of St. Peters, Missouri. 

Private visitation was held January 21st, 2025, at Newcomer Funeral Home St. Peters, from 11:00am to 12:00pm followed by a memorial service at 12:30 with Pastor Bill Vincent officiating. A private military burial was held at 2pm at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Missouri Humane Society or the Marine Corps Toys for Tots.