Donna Joan DONATT

25 NOV 1935 - 22 FEB 2022

• BIRTH: 25 NOV 1935, Oglesby, LaSalle County, Illinois
• DEATH: 22 FEB 2022, Elkhart, Elkhart Co., Indiana

• MARRIAGE: 8 JUN 1957, Oglesby, LaSalle County, Illinois

INDEX

[N31515] Donna Joan Durham Donatt
November 25, 1935 - February 22, 2022

Donna Joan Durham (aka Nana, Great Nana and MommaDonna), 86 of Elkhart, passed into Heaven on Tuesday evening, February 22, 2022 at home with family by her side. Donna was born in Ogelsby, IL on November 25, 1935, the youngest of four children, to the late Joseph and Helen (Machaliak) Donatt. On June 8, 1957 she married Dr. Thomas Durham who preceded her in death on September 27, 2021. Also preceding her in death were her sisters, Lillian (Donatt) Burton and Helen Mae (Donatt) Alleman and Brother, Donald Donatt. Donna is survived by her six children: Dr. Timothy (Janet) Durham, Denise (Kent) Etchison, Daniel (Karen) Durham, Todd (Jane) Durham, Ted Durham, and David (Lenitra) Durham. Seventeen grandchildren: Patrick (Jenn), Kara (Sawyer) Hankins and Kevin Durham; Amanda Etchison; Allison, Katherine and Samantha Durham; TJ, Suzanne, Scott and Cazarina Durham; Parker, Ryan Lynn, Mitchell and Evan Durham (mother Shelley Kruggel); Xavier and Xander Durham. And two great grandchildren: Hazel and Gray Hankins. Donna earned her LPN from St. Mary's School of Nursing in LaSalle, IL in 1955. She and Thomas moved to Elkhart in 1963 where they built a wonderful life for their family. Donna was the emotional leader of the Durham family, always cheering on her children, instilling them with great confidence. She enjoyed hosting elaborate birthday and holiday dinners and loved attending mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, where she was a Eucharistic Minister and member of the Choir, Rosary Society and Prayer Groups. Donna was a dedicated Pro-Life advocate. She delivered for Meals on Wheels to the homebound and tutored adults working toward their GED in Sr. Virginia's class at St. Vincent Catholic Church. She was a member of the Elks and Moose. She enjoyed tennis and golf with Tom and their friends, traveling, and snow skiing with her family. She loved dark chocolate and its health benefits. The family especially gives thanks to Elvira for her most compassionate care of Donna over the last six months. Services will be held on Monday, February 28 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1405 N. Main St., Elkhart. A parish rosary will be prayed at 11:30 AM, followed by visitation at Noon and a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 PM. Rev. Jason Freiburger will officiate. Graveside service will immediately follow at St. Vincent Cemetery, Elkhart. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial contributions to St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church, Women's Care Center or Right to Life Michiana. Arrangements are under the care of Billings Funeral Home, where condolences may be made online to Donna Durham's family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com
Posted online on February 26, 2022
Published in South Bend Tribune