Donna Evelyn Slanker

SALEM - Born to Dominic and Evelyn (Crowl) Oliver in Leetonia, Ohio, Donna Evelyn (Oliver) Slanker entered this world on November 17, 1942, and departed it peacefully, surrounded by love and her family.
A 1961 graduate of Leetonia High School-where she was a cheerleader and loyal friend-Donna remained connected to her classmates, keeping in touch with many throughout her life. She trained as a licensed practical nurse and began her journey at the Salem Clinic, later opening her heart and home to infant foster children before raising a family of her own.
On May 7, 1966, she married William "Bill" Frederick Slanker at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Leetonia. Their nearly 59-year marriage was built on mutual care, shared work, and enduring love. Donna wasn't just Bill's wife-she was his faithful partner, managing the books and the many details of the Slanker Farm with a skill far surpassing her formal education. She did it with devotion, love and loyalty for her husband, children and grandchildren.
She was the mother of Douglas (Jennifer) Slanker, Darcie (Matthew) Milazzo and Deborah (Dave) Kimble and the proud grandmother of Mitchell, Madelinn, and Morgan Slanker; Xavier and Griffin Milazzo; and Grace, William, Jacob, and Vivian Weingart. She was a loving sister to Agnes Gregory, Jeannie Altomare, and Mary Davenport, and a beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews.
Donna expressed love through action. She found her purpose when tending to the physical needs of others-caring for ill people, canning vegetables, planting seeds, watering flowers. From the expansive vegetable garden she harvested every summer to the holiday spreads with her cookies, cakes and pies, Donna fed and cared for her family with a faithfulness that spoke through her hands. In her own way, she showed up-with meals, with help, with presence.
She loved country music, the kind that tells honest stories through soulful melodies. She loved teasing her grown children and their friends and spouses, always ready with her signature send-off: "Be good-and if you can't be good, be bad."
In her later years, she found deep pleasure in simply sitting in the sun. It was one of the few times she allowed herself to just be-to soak in life rather than tend to it. Donna leaves behind a garden of lives she touched. She will be remembered not only for what she did, but for the warmth she gave and the lives that bloomed because she was there.
Family and friends will be received from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Stark Memorial Funeral Home, 1014 E. State St., Salem. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Salem. Interment will follow at Hope Cemetery.
If unable to attend, you may show your support by joining our complimentary "Hugs from Home" program at www.starkmemorial.com/hugs-from-home.
To view Donna's obituary, send condolences or order flowers, visit www.starkmemorial.com.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Donna Evelyn Slanker, please visit our floral store.