Dateline: Godfrey

Donna Mae Freeman Burnett Bonnell, 77, of Godfrey, IL, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2012 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center.

She was born August 31, 1934 in Grandin, North Dakota, to Arthur and Hannah (Anderson) Freeman.

In 1954, she married Ronald Burnett and together they had two daughters. They divorced in 1979.

On March 25, 2006, she married Raymond Bonnell.

She is survived by her children, Lynne Burnett (Robyne O'Mara) of Godfrey, IL and Claudia Burnett (Michael Gallant) of Surf City, NC, her husband, Raymond of Godfrey, IL, six step-children, Michelle (Rich) Fischer of Knoxville, IL, Doug (Terri) Bonnell of Colorado, Cindy Bonnell of Godfrey, IL, Kimberly (Rusty) Bilbruck of Gillespie, IL, Tim (Jenny) Bonnell of Alton, IL, Jennifer (Dave) Hamlin of Wyoming, and her cat Pooh. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren and five grand-dogs.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Kenneth, William, and Curtis Freeman.

Donna worked at the registrar's office at Principia College, then for many years as the bookkeeper for Universal Electric in Elsah, IL. While her children were in school, she completed a Bachelor's degree in History and a Master's Degree in English, both at Southern Illinois University. She later worked for E. S. Edwards construction in Alton, IL and finally retired in 2002 from Pere Marquette Youth Center in Grafton, IL where she had been a secretary and librarian.

After retirement, she joined the New Horizon's Band where she met her husband-to-be. Together, they also played with the musical ensemble Melody Lane. They were fortunate to find each other later in life and enjoyed six very happy years together.

Donna was loving, generous, smart, funny and independent. She never had an ill word to say of anyone, and many people called her their friend. Donna enjoyed working in her flower garden, reading Alexander McCall Smith books, lunching with her friends Joyce and Barb, watching the birds and squirrels in her back yard with her husband and any occasion for a cup of tea. Donna especially enjoyed spending time with her daughters whether walking on the beach in North Carolina, doing craft projects or just reminiscing about good times. She was an advocate for animal welfare, the environment, and equal rights for all people.

A memorial will be held on Thursday, March 29th at 1pm at Glazebrook Park in Godfrey. All are welcome to attend this celebration of Donna's life. Memorials to 5A's animal shelter in Godfrey, IL would honor her memory and her love of animals.


PDF Printable Version