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Donna Wilber Obituary

Donna Wilber Donna Wilber passed away on Wednesday, August 19, 2009. She was born Donna Jeanne Matson on April 15, 1930, in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. She graduated from Ovid High School in 1948 and married George Wilber on February 25, 1949. She held a 33 year career with Michigan Farm Bureau and was Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations and in charge of Media Relations. She and husband George had a weekly newpaper called the Ovid-Elsie Banner from 1967-1971 and after her retirement from Farm Bureau they operated a nationwide publication of table shuffleboard for 18 years. Donna is survived by her husband of 60 years, George; daughters Teri Elkins and fiance Sam Barnett Jr. of Lansing and Robyn Wilber of Charlotte; grandsons Kelly and Dawn Elkins, Kory Elkins and Tabatha Elkins; five great-grandchildren: Quentin, Lauren, Logan, Sophia and Victoria Elkins, all of Lansing; brother Ron and Maxine Matson of St. Johns; sisters-in-law Jennielee Bowen of Kendallville, Indiana, and DeLoris and Roy Harger of St. Johns; brother-in-law Bob and Dorothy Wilber of Ovid, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, grandparents, her brother Ward Matson, her son-in-law Donald Elkins and sister-in-law Ruth Malato. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Ovid Historical Society. A memorial celebration will be held at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, St. Johns, 989-224-4422 on Sept. 12, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends at the funeral home beginning at 9:00 a.m.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lansing State Journal on Aug. 21, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Donna Wilber

Sponsored by Tom & Lynda French.

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LINDA STEFFENSEN

September 23, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

September 18, 2009

The clouds parted and Donna passed me by on her way to heaven. George, you and Donna will always be a part of me.

The Red Barron

September 17, 2009

Dear George,
My sincere condolences to you and your Family

Harvey Groleau
Winnipeg Canada

September 17, 2009

Dear George,

Just wanted to let you know that the Memorial Service for Donna was beautiful. The kind words of your family and friends, brought back so many memories. Donna was a great lady and will be sadly missed. I wish Bob & I would have had the chance to set and talk with you longer. Please take care of yourself and know that our prayers are with you and your family.
Love,
Deb & Bob Voorhis

John McDermott

September 17, 2009

Dear George,

I was so sorry to hear about Donna's passing, and have thought about the two of you often in these last couple of weeks.

What you and her shared was so special. I never saw two people more in love, and the two of you were truly best friends and soulmates.

They say that laughter and a good sense of humor are important in sustaining a relationship, and my most enduring memory of the two of you is how often you laughed together.

I hope that the condolences from all of us who love the two of you will bring some small measure of comfort.

September 17, 2009

Dear George,

We are so sorry to hear about Donna. She was such a wonderful, thoughtful, and kind person. We will truly miss her.

Sincerely,
Bud and Debbie Spier

Phil DePree

September 16, 2009

George,
My deepest sympathy. Your beloved Donna was something very special, something I realized well before I even met you both. I had the grand pleasure of spending a little time with you both at the '95 Quilcene, WA, 10th annual BT Reunion tournament. Russ Miller and I were your neighbors at the motel that week, and I don't think anyone got much sleep. Take care of yourself, and God bless.

gwynette orsi

September 16, 2009

Dear George
I am very sad to hear about Donna. I will pray and ask The Lord to give you some relief from your pain.

Sincerely,
Gwynette Orsi

Rob & Debbie Kern

September 16, 2009

There are no words I can say to express the loss of your beloved Donna. Gerorge, you know how much you and Donna mean to us and I thank God everyday for knowing the both of you. May you find peace in the arms of family and friends.

Tom & Lynda French

September 16, 2009

George & Family,

We lost our dear friend, mentor, and adopted mom. We only wish we could be there to help you in some way. Our memories are dear to our hearts and will be remembered and cherished forever.

September 15, 2009

Dear George
our hearts go out to you and your family at this time of sorrow.

The Goldsmiths / The Lanktons

Chris Wayt

September 15, 2009

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Bud Esterline

September 15, 2009

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

woodie Cockrum

September 15, 2009

George;
Donna was an Icon that started the cross country Shuffleboard. I had been playing Shuffleboard for 30 years and only knew what was going one in 30 miles of my home. board opened our eyes to Shuffleboard all over the world.
You Guy's will go down in History.

September 15, 2009

Dear George Our sincere condolences.Donna was truly a lovely lady and it was really a pleasure knowing and seeing you both over the years.Much love,Billy and Evie Maxwell.

Ken Strong

September 15, 2009

George
We lost a dear friend of shuffleboard; a true icon in the pioneering of shuffleboard news publications. She will be missed greatly.

Gordie & Patty Smith

September 15, 2009

Hello George -
Patty & I would like to send you our Deepest Symphany. Shuffleboard would not be where it is today without You & Donna. Take Care -
Gordie & Patty

Kim Stripe

September 15, 2009

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Mahlon & Linda Nobles

September 15, 2009

Dear George,

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends

September 15, 2009

Dear George and family,
Donna was such an intelligent and giving person. I remember when I used to write articles for the boardtalk Donna would always tell me that my articles added so much to the Boardtalk. She even sent me a card once stating that fact. Not many people would do that. She was special.
May she rest in peace. I hope that you and your family will find peace soon, as well.
Hugs,
Jim and Michelle Foran
Tacoma, Washington

Ron & Debbie Bowers

September 15, 2009

George,
Ron and I were very sad to hear about Donna, she was such a wonderful sweet lady and will be missed dearly.
Ron and Debbie

Dudley Hutcherson

September 15, 2009

George, I was very sad to hear of Donna's passing. She will be missed by all of us. She was always very sweet to me. Her smile will always be imprinted in my memory.

Bill Walker

September 9, 2009

George, in behalf of the Pacific Northwest Shuffleboard Hall of Fame Committee and Inductees, I would like to take this moment to pass on our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to you. Your lady was one of the bright and shining stars in the shuffleboard community and will be greatly missed by all who came in contact with her, in person and through the Board Talk.

Bill Walker, Secretary PNSHOLFC

Bob & Beverly Lukens

September 3, 2009

George, we were so sad to hear about Donna. She was a special person in this world and I know she will be greatly missed by everyone. Bob & Beverly Lukens (Orange County, California)

Judith Iseman

September 2, 2009

Dear George, I'm so very sorry to hear about Donna. What a Great Loss!! She was such a wonderful person. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Donna knew how very much I enjoyed and looked forward to reading The Board Talk and attending the Board Tournaments.
The "world of shuffleboard" is just not the same with out it and now we suffer an even greater loss, Donna who helped you spread the "word" of shuffleboard to all.
Donna brought much joy to this world with her smiles and laughter. She will surely be missed by all.
With my deepest sympathy.

Steve Jurik

September 2, 2009

Dear George,I am very sorry about Donna. Please accept my most sincere condolences to you and your family & friends. Donna was always so gracious & helpfull to me, she will always have a special place in my heart. GODBLESS her & you always.

Leeland McDonald

September 1, 2009

A wonderful and sweet woman ...the world will be a little less happier now ...I'm so sorry George ...

Lee McDonald

marty allen

August 31, 2009

Dear George so sorry to hear about Donna---she helped Florida and myself in our Boardtalk write ups in our early days--she was a very very smart lady.i'll never forget the help you and Donna gave me.Thanks,Your friend Marty Allen.

Bobby & Jeri Williams

August 31, 2009

We are sad to hear about Donna. She was such a wonderful person and our lives are better from knowing her.

Gary & Kay Nelson

August 31, 2009

What a great loss. Donna's and George's contribution to communicating to the shuffleboard world was very special. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Connie Odom

August 30, 2009

George, Butch and I were so sad to hear of Donna's passing. What a kind and generous lady! You and Donna were so much fun to be with. You both made all feel welcome.
Butch Thomas and Connie Odom

Carolyn Jones

August 30, 2009

So sorry for your loss George. I still have my copies of the BOARDTALK. I loved that monthly magazine. Donna was a lovely lady and will be missed.

Sandra VanWagenen

August 27, 2009

Dear George & Family
We were so sorry to hear about Donna. We so enjoyed working with you both, during our shuffleboard tournaments. Donna will be greatly lost. Be sure to take care of yourself now.

Bill Bailey & Sandee VanWagenen (Whistling Oyster)

August 27, 2009

Thinking of all the family Donna was a Great Lady and we will miss her very much! Love Mary & Larry Brown

Frank and Connie Zavala

August 26, 2009

George,

Please accept My and Frank's condolances on Donna's passing. We were very sadded to hear about this. our prayers are with you and your family.

Sincerely,
Frank & Connie Zavala

Pam Dowell

August 26, 2009

George, I'm so sorry for your loss. Donna was such a lovely person and a terrific shuffleboard supporter. And she could write! I loved the Board Talk and in later years, appreciated receiving little notes and emails from her. I will miss her dearly. Please know you're in my thoughts and prayers.

August 26, 2009

On behalf of the California Shuffleboard Hall of Fame I would like to pass along our condolences. For all of us that knew Donna will forever hold her in our memories. She was a ture icon and supporter of the sport with the many issues of Board Talk News. Our prayers also go out to George and her family. Jim Martin, Pres. CSHOF (Winchester,CA)

CoCo Brown

August 21, 2009

On behalf of Michigan Shuffleboard Hall of Fame as well as myself, I would like to offer our condolences. Donna will surely be missed. We will keep you all in our prayers.

Sam & Brenda Barnett

August 21, 2009

Dear George and family,

Our deepest sympathy to each of you at this time. Please know we are praying for you.



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