Thursday, January 9th, 2014
Evelyn Donovan
Evelyn L. Donovan, 95, formerly of Celina, passed away at 8:30 p.m. Jan 6, 2014, at the Swiss Village in Berne, Ind.
She was born Dec. 10, 1918, in Chattanooga, to Phillip and Mary Brehm Strabel. On June 22, 1940, she married Clarence Donovan, who died Nov. 1, 2003.
She is survived by one son and two daughters-in-law, James (Elaine) Donovan, Cecil, and Jamet Donovan of Mendon; five daughters, Patricia Reynolds, Brunswick; Carol (Lester) Etzler, Willshire; Kathleen (Robert) Schwartz, Decatur, Ind.; Joann (Michael) Valentine, Rockford; and Cindy (Steve) Bronson, Warrenton, Va.; 16 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Donovan; a son-in-law, Leon Reynolds; and a sister, Reatta Fickert.
She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Rockford, and a former member of the Celina Senior Citizens. She was formerly employed at Tuway in Rockford and retired from Findley Industries in Ohio City. She was known for her quilts and her gardens. Everyone remembers her monster strawberry and her onions. She was a dairy farmer and loved her family and playing bingo and cards.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Lehman-Hogenkamp-Dzendzel Funeral Home, Celina, the Rev. Sharon Stonerock officiating. Burial will follow in St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Calling is 9-11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
Condolences may be left at LHDfuneralhome.com.
