Donna L. Downey

OTTAWA – Donna L. Downey, age 75, of Ottawa, passed away September 30, 2019 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, October 7, 2019 at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Sunday October 6, 2019 and one hour prior to service Monday.  Pallbearers will be Michael Gregory II, Kory and Gary Hall, Justin and Dalton Downey, and Eddie Claar II.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Ron Link, David Hatfill, and Mitch Hanselman.

Donna was born in El Dorado, Illinois on June 23, 1944, the daughter of George William and Dora (Tyler) Hanselman.  She married Edward Downey on May 22, 1963 in Joliet.  He preceded her in death on June 8, 2013.  She is survived by her father, George (Marge) Hanselman; son, Darryn (Sue) Downey, of Ottawa; son, Mickey (Tricia) Downey, of Marseilles; daughter, Susie (Mike) Gregory, of Ottawa; step-daughter, Evelyn Downey, of Sumner, WA; step-son, Edward “Butch” (Becky) Downey, of Cavour, S.D.; step-daughter, Paulette Downey-Hall, of Auburn, KY; brother, George (Judy) Hanselman, of Ottawa; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Dora Hanselman, a son in infancy, Jason Carter Downey, a sister, Norma Hanselman-Day, brother-in-law, Harry Day, and a niece, Velinda Day.

Donna was a wonderful mother and sister who cherished her family.  She was an excellent caretaker raising her family and tending to her husband until he passed away.  She had a heart as big as Texas and loved everyone, especially her grandchildren.  She loved to make people laugh and could be a real jokester.  She enjoyed following her friends and family on Facebook as well as her numerous T.V. shows.  Donna loved to sing and was a huge fan of Elvis.  She was fortunate enough to see Elvis at his last concert in Chicago with her family at her side.  There have been many people who have helped Donna since she was diagnosed with cancer.  A special thank you to her granddaughter, Shasta Downey for her continuous care as her hospice nurse, as well as Ron Link, Jeanne Saager, and Pat Schueler, her neighbors who saw that she and her house were taken care of.  Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels, The American Lung Association, or The American Cancer Society.

To share a memory, please visit www.gladfelter-roetker.com or Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home on Facebook.